Exploring public views and perceptions of facial disfigurement

One in eleven people in the United Kingdom have a significant disfigurement to their face (Changing Faces, 2007, unpublished). Those with a facial disfigurement are often victims of prejudice and stigmatisation, there is however lack of understanding of why this occurs. This research aims to explore public views and perceptions of facial disfigurement. Semi-structured interviews were carried out on six participants. As a result of extensive Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, 4 super- ordinate themes emerged from the data, 1)different from normal, 2)social awkwardness,3) perceived negative impact on the lives of those with a disfigurement and 4) society and disfigurement. These themes will be discussed in association to previous findings in research, and possible future directions for research will be highlighted.