Turner Syndrome Women's Perceptions of Short Stature as a Cause of Social Exclusion: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis

The primary manifestation of Turner syndrome (TS) is short stature. Girls with TS currently receive growth hormone therapy (GHT), but women who completed puberty before 2000 did not, as the Polish Ministry of Health began reimbursing GHT only in 2000, and it is ineffective postpuberty. Consequently, these women are approximately 20 cm shorter than the general population, not exceeding 140 cm. This study aimed to examine how women with TS perceive causes of social isolation in relation to their stature and body image. Nine Polish women with TS participated in semistructured interviews (five did not receive GHT). Interviews were quantitatively analyzed to identify main themes and then subjected to reflexive thematic analysis. Results, interpreted using Sen's (2000) theory of social exclusion, showed that both short stature and body image significantly impact relational capability failure in women with TS.