Abstract

Objective To evaluate psychological defense mechanisms,mental health status and their correlation in patients with alopecia areata.Methods A survey was conducted by using psychological health inventory (PHI) and defense style questionnaire (DSQ) in 80 patients with alopecia areata and 60 normal human controls.Results The patients with alopecia areata showed a significantly higher factor score on depression (10.64 ± 2.02),somatization (8.36 ± 1.84),anxiety( 13.46 ± 2.25 ),hypochondria( 8.30 ± 2.11 ),derealization (7.77 ± 2.18),immature psychological defense mechanism (5.54 ± 1.83) and intermediate psychological defense mechanism (6.09 ± 1.77) than the normal controls did (all P < 0.01 ).The DSQ1 score was positively correlated with the factor scores on lying,somatization,depression,anxiety,psychopathic deviate and hypochondria (all P < 0.01 ),while DSQ2 score was negatively correlated with the factor scores on somatization and anxiety (both P < 0.01),and DSQ4 score with somatization factor score (P < 0.01 ).Conclusions Mental health status is poor in patients with alopecia areata with defective psychological defense mechanisms,which are statistically correlated with the mental health level. Key words: Alopecia areata; Behavioral medicine; Defensive medicine; Data collection

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