Abstract
ObjectiveIn psoriasis, taking steps to improve emotional health is important to bring lasting benefits to patients' physical health and overall well-being. We aimed to identify factors that relate to anxiety in psoriasis and are potentially modifiable and that thus qualify as targets for future planned interventions for improving mental health. In this study, the importance of coping strategies and self-esteem as potential targets were tested. MethodsA total of 102 patients diagnosed with psoriasis, aged 26–65 years (M = 43.39 years, SD = 10.56) and 98 healthy controls (with an overall age, gender, educational attainment distribution similar to that of the cases) completed the Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. ResultsPatients with psoriasis compared to healthy controls reported significantly higher rates of anxiety and emotion- and avoidance-oriented coping strategies, presented lower rates of task-oriented coping strategies, and significantly lower levels of self-esteem. Importantly, our results revealed that self-esteem in psoriasis patients was strongly related to anxiety. Moreover, the increased rates of anxiety in psoriasis were not significantly associated with the coping strategies, suggesting that in patients with psoriasis coping strategies are secondary to other factors such as self-image and self-esteem. ConclusionsThe results identify self-esteem as a target to adopt in further interventions for psoriasis patients. Recommendations for future research and intervention development are discussed.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.