The psychological sequelae of psoriasis: Results of a qualitative study

Magin, P; Adams, J; Heading, G; Pond, D; Smith, W

The psychological sequelae of psoriasis: Results of a qualitative study

Magin, P Adams, J

Heading, G Pond, D Smith, W

Permalink

Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Psychology, Health and Medicine, 2009, 14 (2), pp. 150 - 161
Issue Date:: 2009-03-01

Closed Access

	Filename	Description	Size
	2010003351OK.pdf		326.95 kB	Adobe PDF	View/Open

Copyright Clearance Process

Recently Added
In Progress
Closed Access

This item is closed access and not available.

Full metadata record

Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Magin, P	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Adams, J https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9901-5717	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Heading, G	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Pond, D	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Smith, W	en_US
dc.date.issued	2009-03-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Psychology, Health and Medicine, 2009, 14 (2), pp. 150 - 161	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1354-8506	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/15505
dc.description.abstract	Psoriasis is a common condition with recognised psychological comorbidity in specialist practice. The objective of this study was to investigate the psychological comorbidities in psoriasis in patients from general (family) practices and specialist dermatology practices, using a qualitative methodology. This was a qualitative study, utilising semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. Twenty-nine patients with psoriasis were recruited from general practices and specialist dermatology practices in an Australian non-capital city. Respondents represented a broad range of ages and psoriasis severities. The principle study finding was that psychological morbidity in psoriasis is considerable. Though mood and anxiety symptoms were present in participants, and were occasionally severe, more prominent sequelae of psoriasis were embarrassment, shame, impaired self-image, low self-esteem, self-consciousness and stigmatisation. Psoriasis was associated with behavioural avoidance and effects on respondents' sexuality. The perception of psoriasis as an incurable disease beyond respondents' control, with consequent pessimism regarding prognosis and treatment efficacy, was a contributor to psychological morbidity. Some respondents reported psoriasis having permanently and adversely affected their personality - avoidant personality traits were ascribed to the experience of living with psoriasis. Our conclusion is that the psychological effects of psoriasis can be considerable and long-lasting and are evident across a broad range of psoriasis severities. Clinicians should be aware that psychological sequelae are complex and encompass a range of psychological morbidities beyond conventional psychiatric diagnoses. © 2009 Taylor & Francis.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Psychology, Health and Medicine	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1080/13548500802512294	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Public Health	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Psoriasis	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Depression	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Anxiety	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Self Concept	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Male	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Interviews as Topic	en_US
dc.title	The psychological sequelae of psoriasis: Results of a qualitative study	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	2	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	14	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
utslib.for	1503 Business and Management	en_US
utslib.for	1701 Psychology	en_US
dc.location.activity	ISI:000271402300003	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	2	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	14	en_US

Abstract:

Psoriasis is a common condition with recognised psychological comorbidity in specialist practice. The objective of this study was to investigate the psychological comorbidities in psoriasis in patients from general (family) practices and specialist dermatology practices, using a qualitative methodology. This was a qualitative study, utilising semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. Twenty-nine patients with psoriasis were recruited from general practices and specialist dermatology practices in an Australian non-capital city. Respondents represented a broad range of ages and psoriasis severities. The principle study finding was that psychological morbidity in psoriasis is considerable. Though mood and anxiety symptoms were present in participants, and were occasionally severe, more prominent sequelae of psoriasis were embarrassment, shame, impaired self-image, low self-esteem, self-consciousness and stigmatisation. Psoriasis was associated with behavioural avoidance and effects on respondents' sexuality. The perception of psoriasis as an incurable disease beyond respondents' control, with consequent pessimism regarding prognosis and treatment efficacy, was a contributor to psychological morbidity. Some respondents reported psoriasis having permanently and adversely affected their personality - avoidant personality traits were ascribed to the experience of living with psoriasis. Our conclusion is that the psychological effects of psoriasis can be considerable and long-lasting and are evident across a broad range of psoriasis severities. Clinicians should be aware that psychological sequelae are complex and encompass a range of psychological morbidities beyond conventional psychiatric diagnoses. © 2009 Taylor & Francis.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/15505