Adjustment to atopic dermatitis: a cross-sectional study investigating the role of maladaptive self-schemas in a community sample of people with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND

Studies have demonstrated variability in how people adjust to having atopic dermatitis (AD).

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether adjustment to AD is mediated by psychological (maladaptive schemas and personality) or condition-only factors (age at onset) in a community sample.

METHODS

A cross-sectional design was employed with two groups: (i) early onset of AD (n = 74) and (ii) late onset (n = 76). Patients in both groups completed the Young Schema Questionnaire (Short Form 3) and the Adjustment to Chronic Skin Disease Questionnaire.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in adjustment levels between the two groups. Both groups presented with poor adjustment levels, specifically on the 'itch-scratch', 'helplessness' and 'anxious-depressive mood' subscales. Poor adjustment levels were predicted by maladaptive schemas and not by age of onset of AD.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight and support that adjustment and coping with AD are strongly linked and predicted by core psychological factors such as maladaptive schemas. Understanding schema-level cognitions and offering interventions that can address them might prevent further life impairment and improve overall adjustment to AD.