SynthesisBritish journal of health psychology2026
A systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies of alopecia: Managing identity and appearance changes.
Synthesis in British journal of health psychology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- A systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies of alopecia: Managing identity and appearance changes.British journal of health psychology · 2026Pooled it
- Global landscape of cranial prosthesis policies for medical hair loss: a narrative review.Frontiers in public health · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
Abstract
purposeAlopecia is a medical dermatology condition resulting in multiple psychosocial negative consequences in identity and appearence. Despite numerous qualitative studies examining the experience of people with alopecia, a comprehensive synthesis is lacking. This can obscure progress in research and minimize the impact of psychosocial support people with alopecia can receive. This systematic meta-synthesis aimed to critically integrate the existing literature to enhance psychological understanding of how people with alopecia manage issues about identity and appearance changes, and provide some evidence-based recommendations for clinicians working in the area of psychodermatology.
methodsA systematic search of six databases: APA PsycInfo (OVID), Medline (OVID), Embase (OVID), CINAHL (EBSCO) and Scopus identified 22 eligible studies on the lived experience of alopecia among adults, adolescents and parents. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Checklist was used to appraise the quality of the studies. Extracted data underwent inductive thematic analysis.
resultsThe synthesis, representing 990 people living with alopecia, identified five main themes, focusing on managing identity and appearance changes: (1) coming to terms with a changed identity; (2) the journey to acceptance; (3) complexities of concealing hair loss; (4) social influences in both facilitating and hindering adaptation; and (5) treatment experiences highlighting unmet needs. Findings reveal substantial variation in managing identity and appearance changes, with some individuals achieving acceptance swiftly while others struggle. Social reactions and personal interpretations significantly shape adjustment.
conclusionsAlopecia profoundly impacts identity, coping, and social interactions, often accompanied by dissatisfaction with health care and treatment options. The reactions of other people and interpretations of these experiences appear to play a key role in adjustment. The review underscores the need for personalized, non-pharmacological interventions that address personal and social challenges. Greater co-production in health care training and intervention development is necessary to improve support for individuals with appearance-altering conditions.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.