Understanding psychodermatological distress : constructing a skin shame scale.
Year: 2004
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Literature Review \nThis section offers a review of the literature concerning psychodermatological \nassessment, that is, the assessment of the interface between the skin and its \npsychological correlates, and evaluates selected psychodermatological scales. Using \ndefined criteria, fifty articles were identified, including twenty-three scales, which are \nreviewed in detail. Findings demonstrated that quantitative self-report scales dominated \nassessment. When evaluated against psychometric and theoretical criteria, the scales \nwere found to have limited robustness and validity. These findings are discussed in \nrelation to the relationship between disease severity and skin-related distress and \nsubsequent theoretical and clinical implications explored. \nResearch Report \nLiving with a skin condition can lead to considerable psychological distress. \nUnderstanding the mechanisms of skin-related distress is crucial in developing a \npsychodermatological theory and devising meaningful psychological interventions. The \nIII \npresent study employed Kellett's (2002) theory of "dermatological shame" to construct \na psychodermatological assessment scale for use in dermatological outpatient \npopulations, in this case, at Barnsley District General Hospital dermatology department. \nThe scale was subjected to exploratory factor analysis and reduced from thirty to \ntwenty-four items. Reliability and validity analyses were then carried out and the results \ndiscussed in relation to dermatological shame and cognitive models of disfigurement \n(Kent & Thompson, 2002; Thompson & Kent, 2001). \nCritical Appraisal \nA reflexive account is offered of the research process, through four sections: project \nconception, study implementation, learning and development, including methodological \nlimitations, and process issues. This section concludes with recommendations for \nfurther research.
Author: Caroline M Scott
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2531207529