Life satisfaction and beliefs about self and the world in patients with psoriasis: a brief assessment.
BACKGROUND
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that can decrease the level of self-esteem, leading to self-devaluation, emotional distress, irrational beliefs and discomfort in everyday life. In this study, we aimed to provide a deeper understanding of lifestyle satisfaction and to identify the nature and magnitude of irrational beliefs in patients with psoriasis.


METHODS
A two-year case-control study was carried out between 2010 and 2012. The study enrolled 100 consecutive patients with psoriasis vulgaris, admitted to a dermatology clinic and 101 healthy volunteers with similar demographic characteristics, willing to subject themselves to the testing. A series of standardized questionnaires were used, including: The Anamnestic Questionnaire, The General Attitudes and Beliefs Scale - Short version, The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, The Self-Efficacy Scale and The Unconditional Self-Acceptance Questionnaire.


RESULTS
The tests revealed a strong correlation between the presence of the disease and the decrease of subject's satisfaction regarding: body satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, social satisfaction, family satisfaction, professional satisfaction and satisfaction concerning their own health condition; p<0.01. There were highly significant differences with a large effect regarding the level of irrational beliefs between the two groups of subjects (p<0.01; f > 0.35).


CONCLUSIONS
The focus on psychological impacts of the disease provides important data for a holistic approach to patients with psoriasis. Effective cooperation between all the parties involved (physicians, family and social network) is necessary to improve the patient's psychological status.
Department of Dermatology.
Caius
C
Solovan
Outpatient Psychological Service University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes" Timisoara Marasesti 5 300077 Timisoara Romania.
Mirona
M
Marcu
Department of Dermatology.
Elena
E
Chiticariu
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
beliefs; life satisfaction; psoriasis; psychodermatology; quality of life