Self-Esteem, Illness Perception and Quality of Life of Individuals suffering from Dermatological Diseases in consideration of Their Personality Dimensions

Introduction: Dermatological diseases, due to their visibility and chronic nature, can negatively impact self-esteem, illness perception, and quality of life. Their effects are not uniform and depend on various factors, including personality traits. The study aimed to assess self-esteem, quality of life, and illness perception in individuals with dermatoses and analyze their relationships with personality traits. Material and methods: The study included 165 adults diagnosed with dermatological diseases. A diagnostic survey method was used, incorporating a sociodemographic questionnaire and standardized tools: the Ten Item Personality Inventory (TIPI-PL), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES), WHOQOL-BREF, and Self-Assessment of One's Own Illness Scale. Results: The study revealed a significant link between low self-esteem and dermatological diseases (p<0.05). Correlation analysis (p<0.05) confirmed that higher self-esteem was associated with better functioning in all Qol domains (Physical ρ=0.47, Social Relationships ρ=0.48, Environmental, ρ=0.49, Psychological ρ=0.74). Additionally, extraversion was positively correlated with higher quality of life ratings. The strongest positive correlations (p<0.05) occurred between Extraversion and the Psychological domain (ρ=0.499) as well as the Social domain (ρ=0.414). Conclusions: Dermatological diseases significantly reduce quality of life, particularly in psychological and social aspects, highlighting the need to address mental health in treatment. Personality plays a crucial role in illness perception, with extroverted individuals coping best. These findings emphasize the importance of a holistic approach to dermatological care, integrating psychological support alongside medical treatment. Keywords: skin diseases, quality of life, self-esteem, personality dimensions