STIGMA Study

Stigmatization in children and adolescents with facial burns or birthmarks

Stigmatisierung von Kindern und Jugendlichen mit Verbrennungen oder Geburtsmalen im Gesicht

Summary

Because the face is critical in human social interactions, having a congenital or acquired facial difference can put children and youth at higher risk for psychosocial difficulties compared to their non-affected peers.

Previous studies among visibly disfigured populations (e.g., burn survivors) suggest that these individuals may be victims of a social process that defines them as deviant and therefore have a high risk to experience a variety of stigmatizing behaviour. These behaviors may be quite overt (e.g., staring, whispering, teasing, bullying) or more subtle (e.g., avoiding eye contact, ignoring, pity) and may have lifelong effects on body image and self-esteem.

The possible risk of stigmatization and its long-term effects play an important role in the decision for plastic surgery and other interventions in childhood and adolescence.

Therefore we would like to investigate various aspects of stigmatization among children and adolescents with facial differences. The aim of our study is twofold: First, we would like to assess the perceived stigmatization and the quality of life among children and adolescents with facial burns or birthmarks (hemangioma, congenital melanocytic nevus, and nevus flammeus) and second, we will examine how this population is perceived and rated by non-affected school-aged children.

Project Leadership and Contacts

Prof. Dr. Markus A. Landolt (Project Leader)
markus.landoltkispi.uzh.ch

Dr. med. Clemens M. Schiestl (Project Leader)
clemens.schiestlkispi.uzh.ch

Dr. med. Kathrin Schäffer
kathrin.schäfferkispi.uzh.ch

Lic. phil. Ornella Masnari
ornella.masnarikispi.uzh.ch

Duration of Project

June 2009 – August 2011