title: Adolescent girls' views on cosmetic surgery: A focus group study.
abstract: This study examined adolescent girls' views of cosmetic surgery. Seven focus groups were run with girls aged 15-18 years (N = 27). Participants read case studies of women having cosmetic surgery, followed by discussion and exploration of their views. Thematic analysis identified four themes: (1) dissatisfaction with appearance, (2) acceptability of cosmetic surgery, (3) feelings about undergoing cosmetic surgery and (4) cosmetic surgery in the media. Results suggest the acceptability of cosmetic surgery varies according to the reasons for having it and that the media play an important role by normalising surgery and under-representing the risks associated with it.
authors.affiliation: University of Sussex, UK e.ashikali@sussex.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Eleni-Marina
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Ashikali
authors.affiliation: University of Sussex, UK.
authors.forename: Helga
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dittmar
authors.affiliation: City University London, UK.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ayers
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000329:Advertising / Q000379:methods; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008402:Mass Media / Q000592:standards; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012649:Self Concept; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: adolescence; advertising; appearance; beliefs; body image