title: Shedding the layers: exploring the impact of the burn camp experience on adolescent campers' body image.
abstract: The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the impact of the burn camp experience, as it relates to body image, on participating burn-injured adolescents. Focus groups were conducted with 52 burn-injured adolescents at three burn camps in geographically diverse regions of the United States. Data revealed that burn camp is a place where these adolescents feel a sense of belonging and acceptance, a place where they don't have to hide their bodies, and a place where they can learn to integrate their scars into their overall body image in a positive way. Implications of this study include highlighting the contributions that burn camps may provide in helping burn-injured adolescents learn to cope with the devastating disfigurements that often accompany their injuries.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-7016, USA.
authors.forename: Ellen R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Serena B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Call
authors.forename: Nancy R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Patricia M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Reeves
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image; D002056:Burns / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002165:Camping; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014481:United States