Role of emotional factors in adults with atopic dermatitis

The role of anger in the onset or perpetuation of episodes of atopic dermatitis in adults has long been considered an important factor. The objective was to investigate whether atopic patients feel ineffective in dealing with anger and assertiveness when compared with psoriasis patients and control patients.

Thirty-four adult patients with atopic dermatitis were compared to 28 patients with psoriasis and 32 controls, dental patients without major skin disease. Standard measures of anxiety, anger, assertion, depression, and locus of control as well as a measure of anger effectiveness, designed for this study, were used.

There were significant differences between atopic dermatitis patients and controls in that atopics felt angry more readily but were less likely to express it, were more anxious and less assertive, and felt less effective in expressing anger. The only difference between psoriasis patients and controls was less ability to express anger. Atopic patients were more chronically anxious than those with psoriasis.

Adult atopic dermatitis patients are often chronically anxious and feel ineffective in handling anger which suggests that psychological interventions may prove helpful.