Quality of Life and Psychosocial Needs of Children Suffering from Chronic Skin Diseases

Studies show that children suffering from chronic skin diseases have more negative mental health indicators and lower quality of life than general population and than children suffering from other chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to gain a detailed insight into how the children suffering from chronic skin diseases experience the quality of various aspects of their life – their self-image, experience of disease, social relationships and actual needs, with the purpose of improving the quality of their life. In-depth interviews were conducted with eleven children (6 m, 5 f), treated at the Skin Disease Clinic Srebrnjak, aged 10 to 15 and suffering from visible skin symptoms for longer than two years. The analysis of answers indicates that children report a disturbed self-image, lower self-satisfaction and higher physical self-perception. They attribute negative characteristics to themselves, have unpleasant emotions and expect negative outcomes in the future. Some children have experienced serious peer-bullying, some have pleasant social experiences, but all of them reported feelings of shame and fear from the environment reactions to their skin. Needs they express are related to acceptance, education of the environment, instrumental and emotional support. The findings of this study clearly indicate that mental health professionals should be included in the care of children with chronic skin diseases