Predictors and Mechanisms of Self-Stigma in Five Chronic Skin Diseases: A Systematic Review

This systematic review explores self-stigma in chronic skin diseases, analyzing 27 studies with sample sizes from 35 to 1485 participants. It identifies social stigma, psychological distress, and coping strategies as key predictors of self-stigma in conditions like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, hidradenitis suppurativa, and vitiligo. Social stigma significantly impacts self-stigma, while mental health issues like depression and anxiety are both outcomes and contributors. The review emphasizes the need for interventions focusing on modifiable factors such as acceptance and social support to reduce self-stigma. It also highlights the lack of standardized tools for measuring self-stigma and calls for more longitudinal studies to establish causal relationships. These findings aim to guide the development of interventions to improve health outcomes related to self-stigma.