Psychopathological Symptoms and Neuroticism in Female Outpatients With Dermatological Conditions: A Comparative Study

Despite evidence suggesting a bidirectional relationship between psychological factors and skin disease, psychological distress and personality traits remain underexplored in dermatological care.

This study aimed to compare psychopathological symptoms and personality traits between female outpatients with dermatological conditions and healthy controls.

In total, 159 outpatients with dermatological conditions and 160 healthy controls (all female) completed the Symptom Check List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), and a shortened version of the NEO-Personality Inventory-Revised. Between-group comparisons were conducted using t-tests, and stepwise regression analysis was used to identify the psychopathological predictors of neuroticism.

Compared with controls, the dermatology outpatient group demonstrated significantly higher SCL-90-R scores for all nine clinical scales and neuroticism, scoring lower in extraversion, openness, and agreeableness. Within the dermatology outpatient group, neuroticism was positively associated with all psychopathological dimensions (r=0.265-0.583; p<0.01). Depression, somatization, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms were significant predictors of neuroticism (F=33.969; p<0.001).

Female outpatients with dermatological conditions may experience considerable psychological distress and elevated neuroticism, even in the absence of clinical psychiatric diagnoses. Screening for psychological symptoms-including neuroticism, depression, somatization, and obsessive-compulsive features-should be considered in dermatological settings to better address patients' emotional well-being and optimize care outcomes.