Skin Deep Anxiety: Investigating Social Appearance Anxiety and Coping Strategies in Patients with Skin Diseases

Abstract

Objective: To assess social appearance anxiety in patients with skin diseases.

Study Design: Case control study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the HITEC Hospital Taxila from 1^st January 2023 to 31^st May 2023.

Materials and Methods: Four hundred and forty seven participants out of which 335 individuals with age range 13-60 years of both the genders with skin diseases were enrolled as cases through simple random sampling technique. 112 matching controls were selected. Individuals with psychiatric disorders and those on antipsychotic drugs were excluded from the study. History and physical examination were done by Dermatologist. Social Appearance Anxiety Scale (SAAS) score was used to assess their anxiety levels in diverse situations that involve potential evaluation of their appearance. Participants' coping strategies were evaluated using Coping Strategies Inventory (CISS).

Results: The cases exhibited a mean SAAS score of 38.54±14.34, whereas the control group displayed a mean of 28.69±8.30. Independent t-test revealed a highly significant statistical association (p-value <0.000), between the two groups. A statistically significant association emerged between the SAAS score and the employment status of cases through a chi-square analysis. Among the cases, the coping strategy most frequently employed was emotion-focused, utilized by 37.9% (127) of participants, followed by task-oriented, with 36.4% (122) and only 25.6% (86) of cases employed avoidant coping strategies.

Conclusion: These findings can serve as underpinning for developing interventions and support systems that cater to the overall well-being of individuals grappling with both physical and psychological challenges.