Study examines the role of anxiety in stress-related skin disease

A study published in the British Journal of Dermatology has given insight into the psychological factors affecting skin disease, by examining the role of anxiety sensitivity (AS) social concerns in relation to stress and skin disease quality of life (QOL).

The study entitled ‘Stress and Skin Disease Quality of Life: The Moderating Role of Anxiety Sensitivity Social Concerns’ noted that while stress is widely acknowledged as an important factor in the onset, exacerbation, and reoccurrence of many skin diseases, little is known about psychological risk factors that impact the association between stress and dermatologic conditions.

237 people with active skin disease symptoms were recruited for the study online and completed questionnaires assessing stress, AS social concerns, skin disease QOL, and global skin disease symptom severity.

The research found that AS social concerns moderated the association between stress and skin-related emotional and social functioning in adults with skin disease.

Stress was linked to skin disease-related emotional and functional impairment among individuals with high AS social concerns.

These results highlight the potential for AS reduction interventions to break the vicious cycle of stress and skin disease symptoms and to improve psychosocial well-being in dermatology patients.