Psychological and behavioral effects of alopecia /
| Main Author: | |
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| Other Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1990.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | ProQuest, Abstract Link to OAKTrust copy |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological and behavioral effects of alopecia. There were 106 subjects with alopecia and 100 subjects without alopecia who served as the control group. All of the subjects were administered the Beck Depression Inventory, the State Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Personal Judgment Scale (a measure of self-concept), and the Social Activity Questionnaire, developed by the author. Demographic and descriptive questions also were asked. The data were analyzed using analyses of variance, multiple regression, and correlations. The results indicate that subjects who had alopecia were more depressed and anxious than the control group. The alopecia group did not differ significantly from the control group on measures of self-concept or social behavior. Age of onset of alopecia, severity of the disease, number of attacks of alopecia, and the length of time of having alopecia were not predictive of depression, anxiety, self-concept, or social behavior. Even though the alopecia subjects were more depressed and anxious than the control group, fewer alopecia subjects had ever received counseling or psychotherapy. In addition, only 12.5% of the alopecia subjects reported that their dermatologist had ever referred them to a counselor or psychotherapist, yet over 40% reported that they would have liked such a referral. This suggests that dermatologists, as well as other physicians who treat people with alopecia need to be sensitive to the mental health needs of their patients and become more aware of the need for counseling referrals. They should be familiar with mental health resources in their community so they can make appropriate referrals to their patients for counseling and/or support groups. |
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| Item Description: | Typescript (photocopy). Vita. "Major subject: Counseling psychology." |
| Physical Description: | ix, 81 leaves ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |