Quality of Life of Women Living with Eczema: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

The present research used qualitative approach to explore 1) how people living with Atopic Eczema perceive their quality of life and 2) which coping strategies they were using to overcome the physical, emotional and social consequences of Atopic Eczema. Participants were recruited through social media sites from different socioeconomic strata, educational backgrounds, and family systems. Twelve participants were recruited and interviewed. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used and six major themes emerged: “Stigmatization/Social Rejection”, “Social isolation”, “Social comparisons and self-image”, “Perceptions about recovery”, “Self-management/ coping strategies” and “Support System”. Participants reported social isolation, negative social comparisons, negative self-image, stigma and social rejection. Moreover, participants reported active, avoidant and religious coping strategies and improvement in physical health with the course of treatment. The findings of current study are beneficial for the dermatologists and psychologists to work on the coping strategies and quality of life of women diagnosed with atopic eczema.