Social Appearance Anxiety, Psychological Distress, Coping Strategies and Dermatology-related Quality of Life among patients with Acne Vulgaris

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship Social appearance anxiety, psychological distress, coping strategies and dermatology-related quality of life among patients with Acne Vulgaris. Demographic variables like age, gender, marital status, occupation were explored with reference to study variables. Sample consisted of 200 patients with Acne vulgaris collected through purposive and convenience sampling. Social Appearance Anxiety was assessed through social appearance anxiety scale (Hart at el., 2008), Psychological Distress was measured through Kessler psychological distress scale (Kessler, 1994), Dermatology-related quality of life was measured through Dermatology Life Quality Index (Finlay & Khan, 1994) and Coping strategies being used were determined through Brief COPE (Carver, 1989). In Phase I, the pilot study was conducted on the sample of 30 patients of acne vulgaris for qualitative inquiry and concluded that an item of one of the questionnaire was difficult; committee approach was done in order to resolve the issue. Phase II, consisted of the Main study (N = 200). The results for qualitative part showed that individuals perceived food for getting acne vulgaris and making it worse, they also stated that teenage is the age to get acne. Moreover, among individuals most of the females reported that stress, makeup products, fairness creams, genes and hormones also play role in causing acne vulgaris. Results also showed most of the individuals especially females use herbal treatment for controlling acne. The results yielded that there was a significant positive relationship between Social Appearance Anxiety, Psychological Distress and Dermatology related Quality of life (as high scores on Dermatology Life Quality Index indicate impaired quality of life). There was a negative correlation between problem focused coping, social appearance anxiety and dermatology-related quality of life. There was also a significant positive correlation between active avoidance coping, social appearance anxiety and dermatology-related quality of life. Social appearance anxiety and active avoidance coping were found to significantly predict dermatology -related quality of life, with psychological distress as mediator. Results showed that females scored significantly higher on social appearance anxiety and dermatology related quality of life where as non-significant gender difference was on psychological distress. Results revealed that young adults scored significantly vi higher on psychological distress as compared to adolescents Results also revealed that as acne becomes more severe social appearance anxiety increases leading to more impaired dermatology related quality of life. Findings of the present study show implication in health. Prevention programs can be designed to overcome psychological sufferings of people with Acne Vulgaris.