Body image and appearance distress among military veterans and civilians with an injury-related visible difference: A comparison study.
Injuries sustained during military conflict can significantly impact appearance. Yet, little is known about the psychosocial experiences of veterans with conflict-related appearance-altering injuries (AAI) and whether current civilian interventions are appropriate for this group. To inform the devel...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2025-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0305022 |
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| author | Mary Keeling Diana Harcourt Paul White Sarah Evans Victoria S Williams V James Kiff Heidi Williamson |
| author_facet | Mary Keeling Diana Harcourt Paul White Sarah Evans Victoria S Williams V James Kiff Heidi Williamson |
| author_sort | Mary Keeling |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Injuries sustained during military conflict can significantly impact appearance. Yet, little is known about the psychosocial experiences of veterans with conflict-related appearance-altering injuries (AAI) and whether current civilian interventions are appropriate for this group. To inform the development of acceptable and effective support for veterans with appearance-related psychosocial difficulties, this study aimed to identify factors associated with psychosocial adjustment to an altered appearance among both veterans and civilians with AAI. A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 121 veterans and 197 civilians who had sustained AAI. Multivariable regression was used to examine factors related to adjustment in the two groups. Overall, both groups reported similar experiences, with some key exceptions. Veterans reported significantly greater depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, significantly lower Body Image (BI) psychological flexibility, BI life engagement, and higher perceived appearance-related stigma. BI psychological flexibility was identified as a key predictor of appearance-related outcomes in both groups. Self-compassion predicted social anxiety and depression symptoms in both groups, but only appearance outcomes among civilians. Based on these identified associated factors, it is suggested that both groups, but particularly veterans, may benefit from an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based intervention, including explicit self-compassion activities, and practical social skills training. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ebf5dd3bbf714211b861432d3936a620 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj-art-ebf5dd3bbf714211b861432d3936a6202025-02-12T05:31:06ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01202e030502210.1371/journal.pone.0305022Body image and appearance distress among military veterans and civilians with an injury-related visible difference: A comparison study.Mary KeelingDiana HarcourtPaul WhiteSarah EvansVictoria S Williams VJames KiffHeidi WilliamsonInjuries sustained during military conflict can significantly impact appearance. Yet, little is known about the psychosocial experiences of veterans with conflict-related appearance-altering injuries (AAI) and whether current civilian interventions are appropriate for this group. To inform the development of acceptable and effective support for veterans with appearance-related psychosocial difficulties, this study aimed to identify factors associated with psychosocial adjustment to an altered appearance among both veterans and civilians with AAI. A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 121 veterans and 197 civilians who had sustained AAI. Multivariable regression was used to examine factors related to adjustment in the two groups. Overall, both groups reported similar experiences, with some key exceptions. Veterans reported significantly greater depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, significantly lower Body Image (BI) psychological flexibility, BI life engagement, and higher perceived appearance-related stigma. BI psychological flexibility was identified as a key predictor of appearance-related outcomes in both groups. Self-compassion predicted social anxiety and depression symptoms in both groups, but only appearance outcomes among civilians. Based on these identified associated factors, it is suggested that both groups, but particularly veterans, may benefit from an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based intervention, including explicit self-compassion activities, and practical social skills training.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0305022 |
| spellingShingle | Mary Keeling Diana Harcourt Paul White Sarah Evans Victoria S Williams V James Kiff Heidi Williamson Body image and appearance distress among military veterans and civilians with an injury-related visible difference: A comparison study. PLoS ONE |
| title | Body image and appearance distress among military veterans and civilians with an injury-related visible difference: A comparison study. |
| title_full | Body image and appearance distress among military veterans and civilians with an injury-related visible difference: A comparison study. |
| title_fullStr | Body image and appearance distress among military veterans and civilians with an injury-related visible difference: A comparison study. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Body image and appearance distress among military veterans and civilians with an injury-related visible difference: A comparison study. |
| title_short | Body image and appearance distress among military veterans and civilians with an injury-related visible difference: A comparison study. |
| title_sort | body image and appearance distress among military veterans and civilians with an injury related visible difference a comparison study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0305022 |
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