title: Itch, stress and self-efficacy among 18-year-old boys and girls: a Norwegian population-based cross-sectional study.
abstract: Itch is the most common dermatological symptom and worsens with stress. The general belief of a person in their own ability to cope in stressful situations, known as self-efficacy, is relevant in the management of chronic diseases other than skin diseases. The aim of this study was to explore the association between perceived self-efficacy, itch and stress among late-stage adolescents. The study was cross-sectional and questionnaire-based. Information on psycho-social factors and skin symptoms among late adolescents was collected in a sample of the general population in Oslo, Norway. In this sample of 2,489 boys and girls, the prevalence of current itch was 7% among adolescents with high self-efficacy and low stress, and 17% among adolescents with low self-efficacy (p = 0.028). Adolescents with low self-efficacy under higher stress were twice as likely to report itch than those with high self-efficacy (30% vs. 15%, p = 0.072). In the adjusted logistic regression the report of current itch was significantly associated with low self-efficacy, with an odds ratio of 2.85 (1.71; 3.82). In conclusion, current itch was significantly associated with low self-efficacy among adolescents. Further clinical research is needed to determine whether improvement in self-efficacy could contribute positively to the management of patients with itch.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Norway. florence.dalgard@medisin.uio.no
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dalgard
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lien
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hauser
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000367:Age Factors; D057189:Checklist; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D011537:Pruritus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires