Psychosocial aspects of rosacea: patient-reported coping strategies in Saudi Arabia

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that negatively impacts patients' psychological well-being. Coping strategies can influence disease adaptation and psychosocial outcomes. However, little is known about how rosacea patients in Saudi Arabia cope with the burden of this disease.

A cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured tool that combined clinical assessments with the Arabic version of the Brief COPE. Participants were recruited through dermatology clinics and online platforms. Coping strategies were categorized into three domains: problem-focused, emotion-focused, and avoidant. Statistical analyses included correlation tests and post-hoc clustering.

176 participants (mean age: 28.8 ± 8.25 years; 79.5% female) completed the survey. Problem-focused coping had the highest mean score (68.48), followed by emotion-focused (60.98) and avoidant strategy (49.01). Maladaptive strategies, such as substance use and behavioral disengagement, were the least adopted. Significant positive correlations were observed between disease duration and all three coping styles, with the strongest correlation found for the emotional-focused coping strategy (r = 0.323, p < 0.001). Higher rosacea severity was positively associated with a longer disease duration (r = 0.317, p < 0.001). Higher education as well as employment status were correlated with greater use of adaptive strategies, while students scored the lowest across all domains.

Rosacea patients in Saudi Arabia predominantly use constructive, culturally grounded coping strategies, with religion playing a crucial role. Sociodemographic factors such as education and employment significantly influence coping profiles. In light of these findings, it is essential to develop culturally sensitive interventions that promote adaptive coping and integrate social and spiritual support.