Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
07:40

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design

Published on: May 31, 2021

Adjustment to appearance changes resulting from meningococcal septicaemia during adolescence: a qualitative study

Melissa Wallace1, Diana Harcourt, Nichola Rumsey

  • 1Centre for Outcomes Research and Effectiveness, University College, London, UK. m.wallace@ucl.ac.uk

Developmental Neurorehabilitation
|August 11, 2007
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Adolescents surviving meningococcal septicaemia (MS) face life-altering changes and scarring. Despite challenges, they show remarkable resilience in adjusting to altered appearances and finding new meaning post-illness.

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Medicine
  • Sociology

Background:

  • Meningococcal septicaemia (MS) is a rapidly progressing, life-threatening illness.
  • Survivors often experience severe scarring, requiring interventions like skin grafting or amputation.
  • The psychosocial impact of MS, particularly on adolescents, is under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the psychosocial impact of meningococcal septicaemia on adolescents.
  • To understand adjustment to permanently altered appearance after a life-threatening illness.

Main Methods:

  • Conducted 11 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with adolescent survivors (7 female).
  • Utilized Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) for data analysis.

Main Results:

  • Identified significant impacts on finding meaning, life evaluation, and adjusting to altered appearance.
  • Participants discussed pre- and post-MS self-perception, assimilation of altered self, and scar symbolization.
  • Healthcare provision emerged as a significant theme.

Conclusions:

  • Adolescent survivors exhibit high resilience in the face of MS.
  • Mechanisms of resilience, including social comparison, warrant further investigation.

More Related Videos

Midface Hypoplasia and Cranial Base Morphology in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Analysis Study Using a Predictive Regression Model08:03

Midface Hypoplasia and Cranial Base Morphology in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Analysis Study Using a Predictive Regression Model

Published on: November 4, 2025

Visualisation and Quantification of Intracellular Interactions of Neisseria meningitidis and Human α-actinin by Confocal Imaging12:58

Visualisation and Quantification of Intracellular Interactions of Neisseria meningitidis and Human α-actinin by Confocal Imaging

Published on: October 24, 2010

Related Concept Videos

Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification03:00

Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification

Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
Bacterial Meningitis01:24

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition01:24

Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition

A revisionist approach to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development has brought new insights that challenge and reinterpret his established ideas. Piaget proposed that the formal operational stage, emerging in adolescence, represents the culmination of cognitive maturity. During this stage, individuals are said to develop abstract thinking, engage in systematic problem-solving, and show a form of egocentrism, believing others are as preoccupied with their behavior as they are themselves.
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence01:17

Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence

Erik Erikson's fifth stage of psychosocial development, "identity versus role confusion," is crucial during adolescence (ages 12 to 18). In this stage, adolescents face the developmental task of forging a distinct personal identity, a process influenced by social, psychological, and biological changes typical of this period. Adolescents naturally explore different roles, behaviors, and ideologies as they navigate complex questions of self-concept, asking, "Who am I?" and "What is my place in...
Cognitive Development During Adolescence01:18

Cognitive Development During Adolescence

During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the recognition that people have...
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles01:30

Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles

A thorough assessment of respiratory health is paramount in clinical settings to identify and manage respiratory distress and ensure adequate oxygenation. This article elaborates on the critical aspects of respiratory evaluation, including airway assessment, skin color examination, and the observation of accessory muscle use, which are integral to effectively diagnosing and managing patients with respiratory conditions.
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...