Evaluation of social anxiety, self-esteem, life quality in adolescents with acne vulgaris

Dilek Unal; Nazan Emiroğlu; Fatma Pelin Cengiz

doi:10.1515/ijamh-2016-0035

Article

Evaluation of social anxiety, self-esteem, life quality in adolescents with acne vulgaris

Dilek Unal , Nazan Emiroğlu and Fatma Pelin Cengiz

Published/Copyright: August 5, 2016

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From the journal International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health Volume 30 Issue 2

Abstract

Background:

Acne vulgaris is a visible skin disease commonly seen in adolescence. As it affects the appearance, it is likely to bring stress to the adolescent’s life regarding sensitivity about their appearance.

Objective:

The aim of the study was to investigate the social anxiety level, acne-specific life quality, and self-esteem among adolescents with acne vulgaris. In addition, we evaluated the relationship between these parameters, clinical severity, and sociodemographic data.

Methods:

One hundred and two adolescents with acne vulgaris, aged 12–17 years without any psychiatric or medical comorbidity were recruited. The control group consisted of 83 adolescents in the same age range, who had neither psychiatric disease nor acne. Sociodemographic form (SDF), Capa Social Phobia Scale for Children and Adolescents (CSPSCA), and Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSES) were applied to both groups. Additionally, the severity of acne was determined with Global Acne Grading System (GAGS), and life quality of the patients was evaluated with Acne Quality of Life Scale (AQOL).

Results:

There was no significant difference in social anxiety levels and self-esteem between the study and control groups. Life quality impairment and high social anxiety levels, as well as low self-esteem, were found to be associated regardless of the clinical severity.

Conclusion:

Clinicians should be aware of the psychiatric comorbidities when treating adolescents with acne vulgaris. Especially, low self-esteem and life quality impairment should warn clinicians to predict high social anxiety levels in adolescent acne patients.

Keywords: acne vulgaris; life quality; self-esteem; social anxiety

Corresponding author: Dilek Unal, MD, Bülent Ecevit University, School of Medicine, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Zonguldak 67600, Turkey, Phone: +90 372 2612490, Fax: +90 372 2610155

Conflicts of interest and source of funding: None.

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Received: 2016-3-28

Accepted: 2016-6-29

Published Online: 2016-8-5

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/ijamh-2016-0035

Keywords for this article

acne vulgaris; life quality; self-esteem; social anxiety