Romantic relationships in young adults with burn scarring (V1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Experiences of romantic relationships in young adults with scarring due to a burn injury
IRAS ID
128793
Contact name
Laura Blakey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research & Governance Department, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
How do young adults with scarring due to a burn injury in childhood experience romantic relationships?
Individuals with burn injuries generally adjust well to their injuries, although appearance concerns are common even in those with objectively mild scarring. Qualitative studies suggest relationships with others are important in adjustment to burn injury but little research has looked specifically at romantic relationships. Young adulthood is a key developmental stage for romantic relationships and may also be a time where appearance concerns are heightened in individuals burned as children. Research suggests romantic relationships both influence and are influenced by an individual’s appearance and body image. However, little research has examined this in individuals with a ‘visible difference’ (VD), such as a burn injury. Research with other groups with a VD (e.g. skin diseases) show individuals may ‘conceal’ their disfigurement or avoid intimacy. Research in burn injuries is currently limited to quantitative studies examining sexual behaviour, which does not incorporate broader concepts such as intimacy. It is hoped that qualitative information gathered in this study will help services to provide better information and support for this group.
10-12 participants will be recruited either through the NHS (via professionals in burns centres) or through the voluntary sector by advertising on the websites of relevant organisations. Eligible participants will be aged 18-25 years, sustained a burn injury before the age of 10 years and currently identify as having a burn injury (i.e. currently in follow-up or involved with a burns organisation). After seeking informed consent, participants will be asked to complete a short questionnaire and a semi-structured interview (lasting around 45-90 minutes) about their experiences of romantic relationships. Participants will be fully debriefed after the study. Interviews will be transcribed in full and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.
REC name
South Central - Oxford A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/SC/0307
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jul 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion