title: The influence of optimism, social support and anxiety on aggression in a sample of dermatology patients: an analysis of cross-sectional data.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Individuals with visible skin conditions often experience stigmatization and discrimination. This may trigger maladaptive responses such as feelings of anger and hostility, with negative consequences to social interactions and relationships.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify psychosocial factors contributing to aggression levels in dermatology patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were obtained from 91 participants recruited from outpatient clinics in the north of England, U.K. This study used dermatology-specific data extracted from a large U.K. database of medical conditions collected by The Appearance Research Collaboration. This study looked at the impact of optimism, perceptions of social support and social acceptance, fear of negative evaluation, appearance concern, appearance discrepancy, social comparison and well-being on aggression levels in a sample of dermatology patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In order to assess the relationship between variables, a hierarchical regression analysis was performed. Dispositional style (optimism) was shown to have a strong negative relationship with aggression (β = -0·37, t = -2·97, P = 0·004). Higher levels of perceived social support were significantly associated with lower levels of aggression (β = -0·26, t = -2·26, P = 0·02). Anxiety was also found to have a significant positive relationship with aggression (β = 0·36, t = 2·56, P = 0·01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides evidence for the importance of perceived social support and optimism in psychological adjustment to skin conditions. Psychosocial interventions provided to dermatology patients might need to address aggression levels and seek to enhance social support and the ability to be optimistic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, U.K.
authors.forename: A M C
authors.initials: AMC
authors.lastname: Coneo
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology (Clinical Unit), University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, U.K.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology (Clinical Unit), University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, U.K.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lavda
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000067656:Optimism; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011287:Prejudice; D011788:Quality of Life; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D057545:Social Stigma; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult