PSYCHOSOCIAL PREDICTORS OF QUALITY OF LIFE IN INDIVIDUALS WITH PSORIASIS

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease that negatively affects physical, psychological, and social well-being. Due to the visible nature of the disease, individuals with psoriasis often experience negative illness perceptions, appearance-related concerns, stress, stigma, and reduced quality of life. The present study aimed to examine the psychosocial predictors of quality of life in individuals with psoriasis focusing specifically on Illness Perception, Appearance-Related Concerns, and Perceived Stress. The study used a quantitative cross-sectional research approach, guided by Leventhal's Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation. Purposive sampling was used to select the 115 participants from dermatology department of Govt hospitals. Data was gathered using standardized tools such as the Psoriasis Disability Index (PDI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI), and Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ). Descriptive statistics were utilized for mean, SD, and frequency and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation was utilized to investigate connections between variables. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify predictive effects, and demographic and clinical characteristics were also included and reported. It was predicted that perceptions of disease, worries about appearance, perceived stress, and quality of life would all be highly correlated negatively, and that these psychosocial factors would significantly predict lower quality of life. The results were anticipated to support a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach to patient care by highlighting the significance of combining psychological care with dermatological treatment and adding to the scant literature on the psychosocial aspects of psoriasis.