| Description |
Trichotillomania is an understudied chronic condition with unknown etiology and epidemiology that affects a significant number of girls and women. This study addressed the overarching question, What are the experiences and perceptions of women who engage in hair pulling? "Trichotillomania: A Journey of Personal Empowerment" was a qualitative study of 22 women that addressed their lived experience of hair pulling and their assigned meaning of their hair pulling. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with each participant. A grounded theory approach to analysis was applied to the data. The narratives of the participants yielded an understanding of when and why hair pulling took hold, how others' conceptualizations of trichotillomania created barriers to accountability and acceptance, and how women empowered themselves to conceptualize their hair pulling and to determine the role that hair pulling plays in their lives. The women's conceptualizations of trichotillomania, based on their experiences and perceptions of their hair pulling, provided clear evidence for why it is so important to include hair pullers in the global conversation on trichotillomania. |
