| Summary: | This thesis examines the utility of self-help for individuals with disfigurements. While variations in adjustment exist, research has also identified high levels of psychosocial distress, particularly relating to social anxiety and fear of negative evaluations. Psychological interventions have the potential to improve psychosocial functioning. However, owing to the stigma of disfigurements and gaps in services, psychological interventions are scarce. There is scope for self-help to meet the gaps in services. The first section is a systematic review of self-help for disfigurements. The aims were to identify and appraise what is currently known about self-help and explore outcomes and user perspectives in its use. Nine studies with varied methodology met the inclusion criteria. Randomised controlled trials are scarce but demonstrate tentative support for self-help interventions to lower psychosocial distress, particularly in reducing anxiety. Self-help is also actively sought with satisfaction for the medium. Recommendations for future research and clinical implications are discussed. To meet the gaps identified by the review, a randomised controlled feasibility trial was conducted with a psoriasis sample utilising compassion-focused self-help. The study aimed to address questions about recruitment, attrition, acceptability and effectiveness. The primary outcome of interest was external shame. Both self-help interventions significantly lowered external shame with small effects observed (d = .20). The interventions had high acceptability but attrition was high at 30%.
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