title: Body image dissatisfaction among women with scleroderma: extent and relationship to psychosocial function.
abstract: Body image dissatisfaction and its relationship to psychosocial function were investigated in 127 women with scleroderma Results indicated elevated body image dissatisfaction, with participants reporting higher levels than a sample of patients with severe burn injuries. Age, skin tightening above the elbows, and functional disability were related to heightened body image dissatisfaction, suggesting that younger patients with more severe disease may be at greatest risk for developing body image concerns. Path analysis revealed that depression mediated the relationship between body image dissatisfaction and psychosocial function. Results suggest that body image dissatisfaction is a significant concern in women with scleroderma and should be assessed routinely. Early identification and treatment of body image dissatisfaction may help prevent the development of depression and psychosocial impairment in this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. benrudlarson.lisa@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Benrud-Larson
authors.forename: Leslie J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Heinberg
authors.forename: Christy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boling
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Fredrick M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Wigley
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Haythornthwaite
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001828:Body Image; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires