title: The role of disgust emotions in the observer response to facial disfigurement.
abstract: Social intrusions by observers are commonly reported by those with disfiguring conditions. This study examined the role of disgust emotions in the observer response. A group of students (N=48) completed quantitative questionnaires measuring extent of disfigurement, whilst viewing images of faces with varying disfigurements. Another group of students (N=84) completed quantitative questionnaires measuring level of disgust elicited by the same images. Disgust sensitivity was measured using the Disgust Scale Revised. Observers reported greater levels of disgust (p<.01) with increasing severity of facial disfigurement. Individuals with a higher disgust sensitivity reported increased levels of disgust in response to faces of mild (p=.03), moderate (p=.02) and severe (p<.01) disfigurement compared to those with a lower disgust sensitivity. This provides an explanatory framework for the avoidance reactions of observers and may be important in understanding variability in adjustment following disfigurement.
authors: Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG, UK.
authors: Kumaran
authors: K
authors: Shanmugarajah
authors: Safina
authors: S
authors: Gaind
authors: Alex
authors: A
authors: Clarke
authors: Peter E M
authors: PE
authors: Butler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004644:Emotions; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000523:psychology*; D005149:Facial Expression; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000523:psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D057545:Social Stigma; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult