IntroductionThis paper outlines the study protocol for the Dutch Young People (YP) Face IT Study. Adolescents with a visible difference (ie, disfigurement) often experience challenging social situations such as being stared at, receiving unwanted questions or being teased. As a consequence, some of these adolescents experience adverse psychosocial outcomes and appearance-related distress. To address this appearance-related distress, an online psychotherapeutic intervention, YP Face IT, has been developed. YP Face IT uses social interaction skills training and cognitive–behavioural therapy. The Dutch YP Face IT Study tests whether this intervention is effective in reducing social anxiety and improving body esteem.Methods and analysisParticipants are adolescents aged 12–18 with a visible difference and experiencing appearance-related distress. In this two-armed randomised controlled trial, 224 adolescents will be randomised to care as usual or YP Face IT. Adolescents will complete questionnaires at baseline, at 13 weeks and at 25 weeks. Primary outcomes are differences in social anxiety and body esteem between YP Face IT and care as usual. Secondary outcomes are differences in aspects of self-worth, perceived stigmatisation, health-related quality of life, life engagement, appearance-related distress and depressive symptoms between the two groups.Ethics and disseminationResearch ethics approval was obtained from the medical ethics review committee in Rotterdam (reference number MEC-2018-052/NL63955.078.18). Findings will be disseminated through academic peer-reviewed publications, conferences and newsletters to patient associations and participants of the study.Trial registration numberThe Netherlands Trial Register (NL7626).

Introduction: Adolescents with a visible difference can experience difficult social situations, (e.g., people staring or making unwanted comments) and are at risk for mental health problems. Unfortunately, interventions for adolescents with a visible difference who experience appearance-related distress are scarce and lack an evidence-base. This study tests the acceptability and feasibility of YP Face IT, an innovative online psychological intervention, in Dutch adolescents. Methods: Adolescents aged 12-18 with a visible difference and access to an internet-enabled computer or tablet participated. They completed YP Face IT (eight sessions). Prior and directly after YP Face IT questionnaires were administered to inform future study design. After YP Face IT in-depth interviews took place to assess the acceptability and feasibility of YP Face IT and study procedures. Results: 15 adolescents consented to participation, one person dropped out after one session. Adolescents appreciated the intervention and would recommend it to other adolescents experiencing appearance-related distress. Everyone reported personal growth after following the sessions. Some struggled with motivation, but reminders by the website and research team were helpful. Discussion: The Dutch YP Face IT intervention is acceptable and feasible to use. An RCT should be conducted to assess the effectiveness of the intervention.