DIMENSIONS OF STIGMATIZATION IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIASIS IN A QUESTIONNAIRE ON EXPERIENCE WITH SKIN COMPLAINTS

Background: Stigmatization is a central experience of patients with ps oriasis with a broad psychic and social impact. Objective: The purpose of this study is to identify the dimensions of stigma experience by a Questionnaire on Experience with Skin Complaints (QES; 'Fragebogen zu m Erlebon von Hautbeschwerden'). Methods: 187 in-patients with psorias is were examined with the QES, an adopted and extended (German) versio n of the Feelings of Stigmatization Questionnaire by Ginsburg and Link . A factor analysis of the questionnaire was conducted and the constru ct validity was evaluated. Results: Five factors were found: 'self-est eem', 'retreat', 'rejection', 'composure' and 'concealment'. Self-este em, retreat and rejection are mainly influenced by 'problematic region s' affected by psoriasis, rejection are mainly influenced by 'problema tic regions' affected by psoriasis, rejection also by 'visible parts' and retreat also by 'invisible regions'. The influences of age, age at onset and sex on the stigma experience are small but significant. Con clusions: The QES proved to be an economical and reliable psychometric instrument to differentiate the stigma experience of psoriasis patien ts.