How to Cope with Psoriasis: Data from Patient Tests and Surveys

There are a limited number of studies that have addressed coping strategies in patients with psoriasis, so the aim of this study was to examine how patients with psoriasis cope with their illness. We included 122 participants in the study: 56 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 66 healthy subjects. They filled out the Recent Life Changes Questionnaire (RLCQ), blinded to their stress and clinical status, and the Brief COPE questionnaire with 28 questions measuring 14 coping strategies that are either adaptive or maladaptive. We statistically analyzed the self-reported magnitude of each stressful event in the participants’ lives. Our results show patients with psoriasis most commonly used active coping, seeking emotional support, positive reframing, and acceptance, while their least used strategies were denial and substance use. Since patients with psoriasis often experience psychologically related problems/consequences, it is necessary to take into account their psychological state and try to provide appropriate help and support.