Psychosocial judgements and perceptions of adolescents with acne vulgaris: A blinded, controlled comparison of adult and peer evaluations

Abstract

BackgroundThe purpose of the current survey was to evaluate how teenagers and adults view teens with acne as compared to those with smooth, clear skin. We also surveyed teens and adults about their experiences with acne.MethodsWe hypothesized that teens with acne would be perceived in a more negative fashion as compared to teens with smooth, clear skin. We presented digitally altered photographs to our responders and asked how they perceived the two groups. No mention was made of acne. In the first survey (n = 1,002), both adults and teens provided their impressions on photo images of teenagers with either clear skin or acne. In the second survey (n = 1,006), the adults and teens also answered questions about their own experiences with acne.ResultsSurvey 1. With respect to impressions of photo images, the first thing teens and adults noticed about a person with acne was their skin (65% and 75%, respectively). Teenagers with acne were perceived most often by other teens and adults (teen responder %, adult responder %) as being shy (39%, 43%), nerdy (31%, 21%), stressed (24%, 20%), lonely (23%, 22%), boring (15%, 6%), unkempt (13%, 7%), unhealthy (12%, 8%), introverted (9%, 23%), and rebellious (7%, 5%).Survey 2. Most teenagers with acne (64%) felt embarrassed by it and thought that getting acne was the most difficult aspect of puberty (55%). Teenagers with acne reported lower self-confidence or shyness (71%); difficulty finding dates (43%), problems making friends (24%), challenges with school (21%), and trouble getting a job (7%).ConclusionsTeens with smooth, clear skin were rated higher on every favorable characteristic and lower on every unfavorable characteristic by both teens and adults. In most cases, the first thing that respondents noticed was the skin of teens with acne. Teenagers and adults alike perceived other teens with acne as generally being shy, less socially active, more likely to be bullied, and less successful in terms of finding a job. Overall, these results show that acne has a negative effect on the way people are perceived by others.

Relationship Between Diet and Acne Among Residents of Al-Madinah Al-Munwarah, Saudi Arabia.

“…It has a direct impact on our self-esteem and ability to function with confidence. One of the most intriguing facts of physical appearance is acne and it is a phenomenon which has affected all of us at some point in our lives (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). This aspect is of particular importance to teenagers and young adults who are constantly influenced by media to have a certain physical appearance in order to be accepted by their peers and society.…”

“…This aspect is of particular importance to teenagers and young adults who are constantly influenced by media to have a certain physical appearance in order to be accepted by their peers and society. (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12) Despite having such a pervasive impact, there are certain areas of this topic that are not given the attention they rightfully deserve. There have been extensive amount of research done on medication and other remedial actions to cure acne.…”

Psycho-Emotional State of Children and Adolescents With Acne

“…В недавно проведенном американскими авторами исследовании [20] более чем одной тысяче респон-дентов (как подросткам, так и взрослым лицам) пред-лагалось высказать свои впечатления о фотографиях лиц с угревой сыпью и без нее. Для опрашиваемых не раскрывалась основная цель исследования -про-демонстрировать, что наличие угревой сыпи способ-но негативно влиять на восприятие образа человека.…”

“…У подростков с тяжелым течением угревой болезни отмечаются следующие черты личности, обусловливаю-щие формирования «нозогенного» эмоционального фона [20,22] [28]; шизотипические расстройства (у больных с экскории-• рованными акне) [28]. Основными тремя типами психосоматических рас-стройств, ассоциированных с акне, согласно исследо-ваниям известного отечественного дерматовенеролога профессора Н. Н. Потекаева, служат дисморфофобия, ипо хондрические расстройства и дисморфомания [23].…”

Psychiatric Comorbidity in Patients with Acne

“…Acne can be complicated with various forms of body image disorders. For example, eating disorders and dysmorphophobia (body dysmorphic disorder) may coexist [16].…”