The impact of chronic skin conditions in teenagers
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The impact of chronic skin conditions in teenagers:does severity affect quality of life and distress?
IRAS ID
222398
Contact name
Miglena Campbell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Teesside University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 15 days
Research summary
This study aims to explore the psychological and social impact of having a chronic skin condition (acne, eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo or alopecia areata) for teenagers aged between 13 and 19.
Previous research has addressed mainly the consequences of having one specific condition, eczema; and has tended to concentrate on the impact on quality of life. The present study aims to extend this research by considering a range of other chronic skin conditions as well as eczema; and by assessing the impact on emotional well-being in addition to quality of life. The specific questions addressed by the study are whether the type of skin condition (diagnosis) and the severity of the condition (assessed by the young person’s clinician) affect emotional well-being and quality of life.
Two standardised questionnaires will be used – the Teenagers’ Quality of Life questionnaire (T-QOL)and the Warwickshire Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS), a general measure of emotional wellbeing. The WEMWBS has been validated for use with teenagers aged 13 and over. Information will also be collected about the type and severity of skin condition as rated by the clinician, as well as patient demographic information.
Participants will be recruited through dermatology clinics located in secondary healthcare settings either by the Consultant Dermatologist or Dermatology Nurse. Young people identified as eligible for the study will be offered an opportunity to take part with a pack containing a Participant Information Sheet and the questionnaires. They will also be offered an opportunity to take part in a short interview at a later date. The purpose of this interview is to investigate whether there may be other effects of chronic skin conditions for teenagers that are yet unrecognised.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
18/WS/0142
Date of REC Opinion
7 Sep 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion