PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND COPING MECHANISMS IN INDIVIDUALS WITH ECZEMA: A MENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Eczema is a chronic cutaneous disease which can adversely affect psychological health. Aims: To explore the psychological distress and coping mechanisms in patients with eczema and their impact on the patients' mental well‐being. Mindful eating, psychological distress, and coping strategies: a cross-sectional survey among patients in a university hospital. Significant negative correlations were found between psychological distress and coping strategies, demonstrating that individuals with high levels of distress engaged in less adaptive coping mechanisms. There was a significant interaction between gender and psychological distress, with females reporting higher levels of psychological distress and lower coping effectiveness than males. Furthermore, people with lower degrees of education experienced higher rates of psychological distress, highlighting education's role in psychological resilience. Independent t-tests and ANOVA revealed that the levels of distress differed based on the socio-demographics such as gender and education. This underscores the importance of integrating psychological support into dermatological care for better copings strategies and reduction of distress. Another avenue uses targeted mental health interventions within the population of eczema patients like cognitive-behavioral therapy, stress management program, etc. Longitudinal trajectories of psychological distress and the role of cultural and social factors in coping strategies merit further investigation as well. A multispecialty framework for managing the psychosocial impact of eczema can greatly enhance quality of life among those affected by the condition.