Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 24, 2026

07:40
Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
The Stigma Scale: measuring body image and the skin
1East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.
Dermatology Nursing
|March 29, 2001
Summary
This study focused on developing a tool to measure the emotional difficulties experienced by individuals with chronic wounds or skin conditions. Understanding and quantifying these psychological impacts is crucial for comprehensive patient care.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Dermatology
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Chronic wounds and skin conditions present significant physiological burdens.
- Patients frequently experience substantial emotional distress alongside physical symptoms.
- Existing measures may not fully capture the psychological impact of skin defects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an instrument for measuring emotional challenges associated with skin defects.
- To provide a quantitative tool for assessing the psychological burden in dermatological and wound care patients.
- To enhance the understanding of the patient experience in chronic skin conditions.
Main Methods:
- Instrument development methodology.
- Psychometric validation techniques.
- Patient-reported outcome measures.
Main Results:
- Successful development of a novel instrument to assess emotional challenges.
- Demonstrated reliability and validity of the new measurement tool.
- Initial data indicating significant emotional impact in the studied population.
Conclusions:
- The developed instrument offers a valuable tool for assessing emotional distress in patients with skin defects.
- This measure can aid clinicians in providing more holistic and supportive care.
- Further research is warranted to explore the application of this instrument across diverse patient groups.
Related Concept Videos
Self-Discrepancy Theory
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
People can go to great lengths to protect their self-image and present themselves in ways that they want others to see them. Sociologist Erving Goffman presented the idea that a person is like an actor on a stage. Calling his theory dramaturgy, Goffman believed that we use “impression management” to present ourselves to others as we hope to be perceived. Each situation is a new scene, and individuals perform different roles depending on who is present (Goffman, 1959). Think about the way you...
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem, a core aspect of psychological well-being, reflects an individual's positive and negative self-evaluation in terms of worth, competence, and overall value. It is both a stable trait and a dynamic process, influenced by experiences and social interactions across the lifespan. While global self-esteem offers a general assessment, research highlights that self-esteem is multidimensional and varies across specific life domains.Domain-Specific Self-EsteemResearchers have delineated...
Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience
Self-esteem, a crucial component of psychological development, is significantly shaped by familial experiences. The early parent-child relationship serves as a foundational influence on a child's self-concept, with long-lasting effects extending into adolescence and adulthood.Parental Behaviors and Early Self-Esteem FormationEmpirical studies have identified four principal parental behaviors that foster healthy self-esteem in children. These include expressions of acceptance, affection, and...
Sources of Self-Esteem III: Social Comparison
Social comparison plays a fundamental role in the evaluation of personal success and self-worth. Rather than assessing our achievements in isolation, we interpret their significance relative to personal goals and critically in comparison to the performance of others. A grade of B in a mathematics exam might elicit pride if one's expectation was a C, yet result in disappointment if an A was anticipated or if peers achieved superior results. These comparative evaluations illustrate how both...
Need for Self-Esteem
The human need for self-esteem has long intrigued psychologists, leading to the development of several theories that explore its evolutionary and functional significance. Among the most influential are the sociometer, hierometer, and terror management theories. Each offers a unique perspective on why people strive for self-worth and how it shapes behavior and social interaction.Sociometer TheoryAccording to sociometer theory, self-esteem functions as an internal gauge of social acceptance. It...

