The individual health burden of acne: appearance-related distress in male and female adolescents and adults with back, chest and facial acne.
This study examined appearance-related distress in patients with acne. One hundred and thirty-two people attending a specialist acne clinic completed questionnaires including the Derriford Appearance Scale and three self-rated acne scales covering more (facial) and less visible (chest, back) acne sites. Women with acne demonstrated greater self-consciousness of appearance and negative self-concept than men. Subjective rating of severity of facial acne was significantly associated with increased social self-consciousness in women, but not in men. Back acne was significantly associated with sexual and bodily self-consciousness of appearance in both men and women. Patients 20 years and above were significantly more likely to suffer appearance-related distress than 16-19-year-olds. Although not a key focus of this study, ethnicity was also implicated in appearance concern arising from acne.
Staffordshire University, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, UK.
Judith
J
Hassan
Sarah
S
Grogan
David
D
Clark-Carter
Helen
H
Richards
Victoria M
VM
Yates
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001828:Body Image; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055809:Illness Behavior; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult