Social problem-solving, perceived stress, negative life events, depression and life satisfaction in psoriasis

Abstract

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic dermatosis which may cause significant impairment of the patient's quality of life.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the social problem-solving skills, perceived stress, negative life events, depression and life satisfaction in psoriasis patients.

Methods: Data were gathered by means of questionnaires and clinical evaluations from 51 psoriatic patients and 51 matched healthy controls.

Results: Average disease duration was 16.47 years and average Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score was 3.67. Compared with the controls, the patients displayed lower social problem-solving skills. They displayed higher negative problem orientation and impulsive-careless problem-solving style scores than the controls. Patients tended also to show more avoidant problem-solving style and lower life satisfaction than controls. There was no difference between psoriatic patients and controls in terms of depression, perceived stress and negative life events. Higher social problem-solving skills were associated with lower depression, perceived stress and fewer numbers of negative life events but higher level of life satisfaction.

Limitations: The patient group largely included mild and moderate psoriatic cases.

Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest that problem-solving training or therapy may be a suitable option for alleviating levels of psychological distress in patients suffering from psoriasis.