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RATIONALE
Thompson and Kent (2001), Rumsey and Harcourt (2005), Bessell and Moss (2008), Jenkinson
et al (in preparation) and other commentators have noted the pressing need for longitudinal
research to explore the extent of stability and change in adjustment to disfigurement over time.
Study 3 reports a longitudinal study in which responses to standardised measures were
repeated over a 9 month period. Study 4 (included in the follow-on studies) reports qualitative
data from in-depth interviews of a sub-section of respondents who identified themselves as
stable in their adjustment, and those who perceived their adjustment levels to have changed.
Due to the delay in the contracts process, the initial data collection point was later than originally
anticipated. In order to complete the longitudinal study within the life of the grant funding, the
follow-up period was shortened in comparison with the plan in the original protocol, and the
design simplified to comprise one additional data collection point, at 9 month follow-up. This
change required a modification to the ethical approval via an amendment.
METHOD
All participants in study 1 who opted in for further studies (n = 1221) were sent a follow up
questionnaire pack (see appendix 9) at 9 months (see methods section of Study 1). 349
completed questionnaires were returned.
RESULTS
Participants
Of the 1265 participants at baseline, 349 participants completed questionnaires again at the 9
month follow-up.
There was no statistically significant difference between those who responded at time 2
compared to those who did not according to gender ( = 2.707, df = 1, p = 0.100), method of
recruitment ( = 0.691, df = 1, p = 0.406), or objective visibility ( = 0.347, df = 1, p =
0.556) (Table 3.1).
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