Australian Women’s Lived Experiences of Stigmatization After Cosmetic Surgery: A Qualitative Investigation

S Bonell; E Austen; G Sharp; S Griffiths

Journal article

Australian Women’s Lived Experiences of Stigmatization After Cosmetic Surgery: A Qualitative Investigation

S Bonell, E Austen, G Sharp, S Griffiths

Stigma and Health | Published : 2022

DOI: 10.1037/sah0000378

Abstract

Cosmetic surgery is highly popular, yet some cosmetic surgery recipients continue to face stigmatization. Our qualitative study provides a comprehensive analysis of cosmetic surgery recipients’ lived experiences of stigmatization in Australia. In particular, we examine the methods through which recipients postoperatively navigate and manage stigmatization. We interviewed 15 Australian women (28–59 years old) who had undergone cosmetic surgery and used reflexive thematic analysis to analyze transcripts. We generated three themes: (a) stigma awareness, (b) internalized stigma, and (c) navigating and managing stigma. Participants spoke at length about their experiences of stigma despite having ..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Emma Austen Author

Scott Griffiths Author

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Grants

Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council

Funding Acknowledgements

Sarah Bonell was under the supervision of Scott Griffiths at the time of data collection and analysis. Scott Griffiths is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council Early Career Fellowship (grant number: 1121538). The funder had no role in the design of the study, the collection or analysis of data, write-up of the manuscript, or the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.