Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

General measures of coping styles do not adequately assess specific problems in coping with chronic skin diseases. In the present study, a questionnaire was developed for this purpose. Clinical interviews and items from other questionnaires yielded a pool of 93 items. A sample of 442 patients with different skin disorders completed the questionnaire. Principal components analysis with varimax rotation suggested a 6-factor solution with a total of 51 items. The factor structure was largely replicated in a second sample of 166 patients with atopic dermatitis. The six factors were interpreted as follows: social anxiety and avoidance, vicious circle of itching and scratching, helplessness, anxious-depressive mood, impact on quality of life, information seeking. Internal consistencies of the six scales were very good to satisfactory, with Cronbach's α ranging from .93 to .62. Correlations with scales assessing depression, anxiety and social anxiety, and significant differences between subgroups with different skin disorders supported the construct validity. The satisfactory reliability and validity justify clinical application of the questionnaire.

Type

Journal article

Journal

Diagnostica

Publication Date

01/12/1998

Volume

44

Pages

30 - 40