The family experience of childhood vitiligo: An IPA study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The family experience of childhood vitiligo: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
IRAS ID
124558
Contact name
Kate Ablett
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Sheffield
Research summary
Vitiligo is a chronic skin condition which occurs in around 1% of the population, affecting both genders and all ethnicities equally. It causes progressive and permanent development of patches of skin that have lost their pigment, frequently in highly visible places on the body. In adults the condition has been associated with low self-esteem, depression and a reduced quality of life. Research has shown that adults with vitiligo may feel stigmatised and avoid social situations or conceal their skin as much as possible.
There is very limited research conducted on children with vitiligo, even though around half of sufferers develop the condition prior to the age of 20. What little research has been conducted has focussed on questionnaire measures. Through interview methodology, this study will seek to explore the experiences of children with vitiligo and their caregivers’ experiences. The focus will be on the psychological and social impact of the condition, how children and their families have adapted as well as the support and/or care they have received.
Six children with vitiligo aged 8-12 years and one of their caregivers will be interviewed by the Chief Investigator for the study. These interviews will include open ended questions in order to facilitate discussion and may include the use of drawing to aid engagement with the children. The interviews will be recorded using an encrypted, digital recorder and transcribed by the Chief Investigator or a transcriber who had signed a confidentiality agreement. This information will then be analysed using the qualitative method of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, whereby themes are identified from individual interviews and then these views will be combined to give an overall picture of the family experience of vitiligo.
REC name
North East - York Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/NE/0153
Date of REC Opinion
25 Jun 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion