Impact of Attachment Style and Temperament Traits on the Quality of Life of Patients with Psoriasis

Abstract

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with manifestations that go beyond the visual manifestation, and include psychological aspects. Some mental disorders or personality traits in psoriasis patients have also been highlighted, such as a negative or problematic attitude towards life, impulsive or avoidant behavior, and lower satisfaction with life. The aim of our cross-sectional study was to explore the associations between adult attachment, temperament, and quality of life of patients with psoriasis. Methods: A sample of 75 patients with psoriasis was evaluated with the Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ) to study adult attachment, the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, and San Diego Auto-questionnaire (TEMPS-A) to study temperament traits, and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) to study the impact of dermatological diseases on patients’ lives. Results: Depressive, cyclothymic, and irritable temperaments were found to be significantly positively associated with a need for approval and preoccupation with relationships subscales of the ASQ. The severity of skin disease effect on the patient’s life was higher in women than in men. Moreover, a statistically significant effect of the need for approval subscale of the ASQ was found. The positive correlation between the severity of skin disease effect on the patient’s life with a need for approval was statistically significant and stronger in women than in men. Conclusions: A better understanding of the impact of mental comorbidities on psoriasis and vice versa places an ever-greater responsibility on dermatologists involved in the management of psoriasis to recognize these problems and collaborate with psychologists and psychiatrists to help these patients.

Keywords

• clinical psychology
• attachment
• temperament
• psoriasis
• quality of life
• mental health