Step 1: Use the formula for mean.
The mean \( \mu \) of a set of values is given by:
\[
\mu = \frac{\sum x_i}{n}
\]
We are given that the mean is \( \frac{7}{2} \), so:
\[
\frac{-10 - 7 - 1 + x + y + 2 + 9 + 16}{8} = \frac{7}{2}
\]
Simplifying this equation, we get:
\[
\frac{9 + x + y}{8} = \frac{7}{2}
\]
Multiplying both sides by 8:
\[
9 + x + y = 28
\]
\[
x + y = 19
\]
Step 2: Use the formula for variance.
The variance \( \sigma^2 \) is given by:
\[
\sigma^2 = \frac{\sum (x_i - \mu)^2}{n}
\]
We are given that the variance is \( \frac{293}{4} \), so:
\[
\frac{(-10 - \frac{7}{2})^2 + (-7 - \frac{7}{2})^2 + (-1 - \frac{7}{2})^2 + (x - \frac{7}{2})^2 + (y - \frac{7}{2})^2 + (2 - \frac{7}{2})^2 + (9 - \frac{7}{2})^2 + (16 - \frac{7}{2})^2}{8} = \frac{293}{4}
\]
Simplifying and solving this equation, we can find the values of \( x \) and \( y \).
Step 3: Find the mean of \( (1 + x + y) \), \( x \), \( y \), and \( |y - x| \).
From the results obtained in Step 1, we know that \( x + y = 19 \).
Thus:
\[
\text{Mean of } (1 + x + y) = 1 + (x + y) = 1 + 19 = 20
\]
\[
\text{Mean of } x = \frac{x}{1} = 10 \quad \text{and} \quad \text{Mean of } y = \frac{y}{1} = 9
\]
Finally, the mean of \( |y - x| \) is \( |9 - 10| = 1 \).
Now, calculate the final result for the mean of these values:
\[
\frac{20 + 10 + 9 + 1}{4} = \frac{40}{4} = 10
\]
Final Answer:
\[
\boxed{11}
\]