Coping and quality of life in patients with psoriasis

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between co ping dimensions and overall quality of life, disability and health status i n patients' with psoriasis. Psoriasis is one of several chronic diseases wh ich requires self-management in order to ensure an enhanced quality of life . The sample comprised 334 patients who were treated consecutively at three dermatology departments in eastern Norway. A total number of 273 patients completed the questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 82% (20% in-patien ts and 80% out-patients). The following questionnaires were used: The Jalow iec Coping Scale, the Psoriasis Disability Index, the Quality of Life Scale , and the SF-36. Results showed that patients who used combined emotive cop ing strategies reported more disability, poorer mental health and worse ove rall quality of life. Furthermore, patients who more frequently used normal ising/optimistic coping reported higher levels of mental health. However, t he variance explained by coping effort was low to moderate. Coping explaine d the variance in mental health and overall quality of life to a greater ex tent than that in physical health. Knowledge about the relationships betwee n coping and quality of life dimensions is important with regard to the est ablishment and implementation of appropriate psychosocial interventions for patients with psoriasis.