The relationship between strategies of coping with stress and acceptance of illness among patients with psoriasis

Introduction. Studies confirm the relationship of coping strategies with various aspects of human functioning. It is a factor in protecting the mental and physical health of people, helping them adapt to new conditions and, consequently, contributes to more adaptive functioning, even in illness. Psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune skin disease, may have a negative impact on the patient's mental state and his social functioning, leading to a reduction in quality of life.

Objective. To determine the relationship between strategies of coping with stress and acceptance of illness among people with psoriasis.

Material and methods. The study group consisted of 87 persons with psoriasis (45 women and 42 men) with a mean age of 41 years. The study employed the Mini-Cope questionnaire of Carvera and colleagues, The Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) by Felton, Revenson and Hinrichsen, a personal questionnaire and the PASI scale to measure psoriasis intensity.

Results. Patients with psoriasis most frequently use active coping strategies and are least likely to use psychoactive substances – one of the avoidance strategies. Gender differentiated coping strategies, while age and skin condition measured by PASI did not differentiate strategies of coping with stress and acceptance of illness. Statistical analysis showed a significant negative relationship between cessation of action, self-blame and acceptance of illness among people with psoriasis. Illness duration was negatively correlated with denial and was a predictor of acceptance of illness.

Conclusions. The role of coping strategies proved not significant for acceptance of illness. It is necessary to pay attention to other variables, in particular illness duration.