Development and Content Validation of the Mind-Skin Health Index: A New Tool for Psychodermatologic Assessment

There is currently no universally accepted screening tool for psychodermatologic conditions, despite their high prevalence and significant impact on patient well-being. This study presents the initial content validation of the Mind-Skin Health Index (MSHI), a brief, patient-centered screening tool intended to facilitate early identification and referral of psychodermatologic conditions.

A structured, multiphase approach informed by a comprehensive literature review and mapping of psychodermatologic constructs was used to establish an initial conceptual framework. Subsequently, an international panel of 18 experts across dermatology, psychiatry, psychology, and primary care participated in a 3-round modified Delphi consensus process, refining an initial pool of 28 candidate items. Expert feedback guided item adjustments for clinical relevance, clarity, and practicality, reducing redundancy and ensuring alignment with 4 core psychodermatologic domains, namely, mood and anxiety symptoms, body-focused repetitive behaviors, somatic phenomena, and skin-related distress. This expert-driven version was then evaluated by 26 patient partners through 2 additional Delphi rounds, further enhancing item comprehensibility and patient acceptability. The expert and patient data facilitated refinement of the conceptual framework and resulted in an 18-item preliminary version of the MSHI.

This study presents the content development of the MSHI, a novel, consensus-based screening tool designed to identify psychodermatologic distress across a broad spectrum of clinical presentations. Psychometric evaluation, including assessments of dimensionality, reliability, and diagnostic accuracy, is currently underway to confirm the utility of the MSHI in clinical practice.