Body image and appearance distress among military Veterans and civilians with an injury-related visible difference: A comparison study

Abstract: 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.

Read the full article
Report a problem with this article

Related articles

  • More for Researchers

    Access to outpatient occupational therapy services after inpatient psychiatric hospitalization in the Veterans Health Administration

    Abstract: IMPORTANCE: Veterans with occupational performance (e.g., activities of daily living [ADL]) limitations who are receiving inpatient psychiatric care may benefit from outpatient occupational therapy upon discharge, but access disparities have not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether ADL limitations, an indicator of need, are associated with outpatient occupational therapy utilization after inpatient psychiatric hospitalization in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and whether this relationship differs by facility characteristics. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of VHA medical record data. Modified Poisson regression was used to model outpatient occupational therapy utilization (yes or no) as a function of ADL limitations, facility characteristics, and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Interactions were used to estimate whether the relationship between ADL limitations and outpatient occupational therapy utilization differs across facility characteristics. SETTING: VHA outpatient setting. PARTICIPANTS: Veterans who received VHA inpatient psychiatric care from 2015 to 2020 and lived