Body Image, Depression Symptoms, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Black Women With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
Madeline M Jones, Laura P Kimble
PMID 36002068WHAT IT FOUND
Black women with SLE reported more body image disturbance and depressive symptoms than general population norms.
Higher body image disturbance was linked to more depression and worse role functioning due to physical health.
Key findings
01Participants reported elevated body image disturbance and depressive symptoms, and lower health-related quality of life than population norms.
02Higher body image disturbance was significantly associated with higher depressive symptoms.
03Higher body image disturbance and depression were significantly associated with lower quality of life in role disruption related to physical health, but not with physical function or pain.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample was small and recruited by convenience through Facebook and SLE groups, so it may not represent Black women with SLE. SLE diagnosis and race were self-reported and not objectively verified. The design was cross-sectional, so it cannot show whether body image disturbance, depression, or role disruption caused another. Only three SF-36 quality-of-life domains were measured because of a conversion error. The study did not measure alopecia or other specific appearance changes, so it cannot identify which changes matter most. Missing data occurred, and small sample size limited more complex analyses such as controlling for obesity. Data were collected during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have influenced mood and quality of life. Self-report measures may be affected by social desirability bias.
Declared interests
The authors report no conflicts of interest or relevant financial relationships.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that improving body image will reduce depression or improve quality of life. This was a small cross-sectional survey of associations, not an intervention trial.