‘Taking Care of Yourself First’ : Exploring Users’ Experiences of an ACT‐Based Intervention to Improve the Well‐Being of Parents and Carers of Children With Visible Differences

Parents and carers of children with visible differences such as skin conditions or scarring from burn injuries can experience a range of psychosocial challenges, yet few interventions are tailored to their unique support needs. An ACT‐based intervention called The Visible Difference Parenting Toolkit was developed to address this gap. The current study explored the impact of the toolkit, using a qualitative methodology. Nine parents of children with a range of visible differences took part in interviews at least four weeks after receiving a copy of The Visible Difference Parenting Toolkit. Interviews were conducted via Microsoft Teams and explored parents’ experiences of using the toolkit. Data were analysed using template analysis. Three themes were generated: (1) The toolkit as a mirror for helpful self‐reflection and values alignment; (2) Finally being provided with the right tool(kit) for the (parenting) job; and (3) Using the toolkit to work effectively with others. Overall, analysis suggests that The Visible Difference Parenting Toolkit is a helpful intervention for supporting the psychosocial well‐being of parents of children with visible differences.