A GROUNDED THEORY OF REIMAGING

Several cross-sectional, qualitative studies suggest that physical alt erations in appearance or functioning have the potential to influence self-esteem. There have been no studies describing the process of adap ting to body image disruption, A grounded theory of reimaging is propo sed, based on the experiences of 28 participants who had experienced s ignificant weight change, loss or paralysis of body parts, ostomies, s carring from burns or trauma, or surgical reconstruction. Participants were interviewed at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months following the physical al teration. Three phases, action processes, influencing factors, and out comes, of reimaging are described.