Exploring psychosocial adaptation among people with chronic skin disease: A grounded theory study.
Xiu-Jie Zhang, Hui Xu, Li Feng and 2 others
PMID 33631062WHAT IT FOUND
Patients with chronic skin disease described adaptation as moving between positive and negative states, shaped by itching, stigma, knowledge, support and self-control.
Ask about these, not just skin severity.
Key findings
01Psychosocial adaptation was described as a dynamic process with both positive and negative responses.
02Itching and exposed skin lesions were linked to sleep loss and stigma.
03Patients described positive adaptation as involving family support and self-control strategies.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only 19 participants were included, and they were recruited from two hospitals in China. Participants who were most in need of help may have been more likely to take part, which could bias the themes. There was no follow-up to check patients' descriptions over time. The findings are qualitative and subjective, and the model has not been tested or validated in this study.
Declared interests
The authors report no actual or potential conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the themes as proof that asking about psychosocial issues, giving education, or encouraging self-control will improve chronic skin disease adaptation. This was a qualitative study of 19 patients and tested no intervention.