Stigma, social appearance anxiety and coping in men and women living with skin conditions: A mixed methods analysis

Abstract

Background:The psychological impact of living with a skin condition can have a profound impact on quality of life and could cause appearancerelated social anxiety. Existing research suggests ambiguous findings in relation to whether the impact of living with a skin condition differs between males and females. Objectives: The present study aimed to explore the association between stigma, coping styles and social appearance anxiety in men and women living with a skin condition in the United Kingdom. Methods: 231 participants (n = 199 females, n = 30 males, n = 2 non-binary) completed a cross-sectional online questionnaire, capturing quantitative data with the social appearance anxiety scale (SAAS), the shortened version of the coping inventory for stressful situations (CISS-21), and qualitative data from free-text comments and thematic content analysis. Respondents were also asked to provide additional free text comments in relation to the challenges faced and how these were managed. Results: Content analysis revealed that males and females faced daily practical, social and emotional challenges and coped with them in several ways; with higher levels of social appearance anxiety associated with both higher perceived severity of skin condition and younger age. Males and females appeared equally as emotionally affected by living with a skin condition, with the only significant gender difference being females as significantly more likely to engage in avoidant coping behaviours than males. Conclusions: Living with a skin condition presents daily practical, social, and psychological challenges for males and females that have the potential to impact on quality of life. Findings highlight the need for dermatological care to routinely address these issues, and psychosocial interventions must be made available to promote healthy coping with skin conditions.This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Psychosocial Problems Associated with Vitiligo: A Correlational Study on Vitiligo Patients

“…However, this study could not establish an association between psychotherapy and psychosocial problems of Vitiligo. The findings of the study are not consistent with the previous studies where psychotherapy has been found to play a moderator role in the regulation of self-esteem, depression, and improvement of quality of life among patients with diseases involving disfigurement and altered body appearance (10,15). As in this study those who received psychotherpy showed no significant change in their quality of life and reduction in effects of Vitiligo.…”

Understanding the experiences of anger in the onset and progression of psoriasis: A thematic analysis

“…14 This might explain why skin conditions have been associated with depression, [14][15][16][17] low self-esteem and maladaptive self-beliefs or appearance anxiety. [18][19][20] In an attempt to avoid negative evaluations and humiliation, people with psoriasis may anticipate rejection, withdraw socially 21 or experience shame. 13,22 Anger has been reported in people with skin conditions 23 including alopecia, 4 urticaria 24 and psoriasis 4,25,26 from their uncontrollable nature, or as an outcome of poor mental health.…”

Psychodermatology special edition

“…It includes equally Psychiatric diseases that present with skin symptoms and signs (such as delusional infestation) or more commonly, the psychiatric or psychological problems associated with dermatological illness, such as depression associated with psoriasis. 4 Since the journal was launched, I noticed that we had had quite a few manuscripts submitted that would definitely fit under the category of predominantly Psychodermatology or Dermatology manuscripts with a psychological overlay. 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 The editorial team of SHD will launch a themed issue later in the year on the subject of Psychodermatology.…”

“… 4 Since the journal was launched, I noticed that we had had quite a few manuscripts submitted that would definitely fit under the category of predominantly Psychodermatology or Dermatology manuscripts with a psychological overlay. 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 The editorial team of SHD will launch a themed issue later in the year on the subject of Psychodermatology. I am extremely grateful to Prof Tony Bewley and Dr Susannah Baron (London) and Prof John Koo and Dr Marwa Hakimi (San Francisco) for agreeing to be guest editors.…”

“…Psychodermatology is the crossover discipline between Dermatology and Clinical Psychology and/or Psychiatry. It includes equally Psychiatric diseases that present with skin symptoms and signs (such as delusional infestation) or more commonly, the psychiatric or psychological problems associated with dermatological illness, such as depression associated with psoriasis 4 . Since the journal was launched, I noticed that we had had quite a few manuscripts submitted that would definitely fit under the category of predominantly Psychodermatology or Dermatology manuscripts with a psychological overlay 4‐11 .…”