Download the report - The Healing Foundation

RATIONALE
In an attempt to offer participants in Study 1 the opportunity to expand on their individual
experiences, and in order to supplement responses to standardised measures with qualitative
data, an open ended response question was included in participant packs.
Thematic analysis was employed to analyse these open ended responses included in the
baseline questionnaires. The major themes are outlined below and are elaborated in the
section which follows.
I. Falling Short of the Ideal
• Oversized (weight issues, large nose, chin, feet)
• Undersized (height, too small breasts, short legs)
• Misshapen (body parts ‘misshapen’ or ‘odd’, or marked by scars, birth marks)
• Feeling abnormal (skin conditions, very visible, disfiguring conditions)
• Tone (dissatisfaction with body that is not taut, e.g. ‘saggy’ ‘droopy’)
• Proportions (body out of proportion, e.g. upper/ lower body, breasts)
• Smoothness (skin that is rough or ‘lumpy’, skin conditions, cellulite)
• Outline (features that mar outline through bulge, ‘sticking out’)
• Gender issues (feeling not manly or not womanly e.g. body hair)
• Criticism of the ideal (pressure of matching up to ‘ideals’)
II. Personal Meanings of Appearance
1.) Self and Appearance
Disrupted selves
• Hate and shame (strong negative emotions towards the body)
• Troubled (unsure where strong emotions come from)
• Different selves (feeling ones ‘real self’ is hidden)
• Mourning for former selves
• Complex responses
Disrupted biographies (feeling that true purpose in life was thwarted)
• Work (feeling that appearance prevented working at true level)
• Relationships (less attractive; unlikely to find partner)
• Pessimism (appearance prevents from reaching life goals overall)
• Positive outcome (past difficulties resolved)
Confidence
Ageing and feeling old
• Aged by appearance
• Feeling one’s age
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