It’s God’s will, he has a plan for all of us and we can do nothing” [Iqbal]. Humour coping This was typical of males. They reported that they made fun of themselves in front of friends before their friends could joke and make fun of them. Humour was not a coping behaviour reported by females. I don’t MDV3100 in vivo mind jokes from friends and family. I have become more hilarious, I enjoy joking about bald people. It’s a part of our culture … so I no longer mind even cracking jokes and making fun of my baldness. [Nadeem] Future practical coping Future practical coping was common in
males and females. Males said that they would earn money and get their hair transplanted whereas females said that they would persuade their parents to get them hair transplanted. Proactive coping behaviours initiated at a later stage. Two click here of the adolescents said they had planned to get their hair transplanted. One of them said, “I want to become a businessman, earn money and get my hair transplanted from
a technically advanced country” [Ali]. Another participant stated, The only hope which keeps me going is that one day I will be able to persuade my parents to get me a hair transplant. This is the only wish I have; I have faith in God it will get fulfilled one day. [Ayesha] Discussion This study shed light on the lived experiences of adolescents with AA regarding their psychological and social concerns and coping behaviours. The four themes that emerged together form a causal progression
from loss (of self-esteem and identity) to concerns about physical appearance and the future, as well as negative thoughts and emotions, and the need to develop ways of coping not with the loss. A unique, hierarchical, and overlapping pattern of coping behaviours that emerged over the period of time was seen in the adolescents. Initial maladaptive forms of coping behaviours were later replaced by more adaptive forms of coping: blaming God and fate, intropunitive avoidance (maladaptive), use of remedies/treatments, practical coping behaviours, self-distraction, support seeking, religious coping, and acceptance (adaptive). A series of psychological adjustments are necessary before one starts reconciling to the changed appearance (Papadopolous & Bor, 1999). The results of this study are in accordance with the three pattern framework of body image coping (avoidance, appearance fixing, and acceptance) (Cash et al., 2005). The physical and psychological changes resulting from hair loss may lead to many psychosocial concerns and challenges. Females recounted greater feelings of loss of love from family and friends whereas males reported only loss of love from friends. Social loss, such as loss of love from friends and family; having left old friends and company of neighbours; and stopping going to college were reported by the participants.