PS19 Self-disgust and disgust sensitivity in individuals with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis

Abstract

Disgust constitutes an adaptive basic emotion functioning as a protective response to threatening stimuli. Beyond external stimuli, disgust can be directed towards the self, with self-disgust reflecting aversion towards one’s own body or identity. Disgust sensitivity further describes individual differences in the negative appraisal of one’s own disgust responses. Chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (AD) may constitute salient contexts for disgust-related processes, as skin alterations function as potent elicitors of disgust. While only limited evidence points to elevated self-disgust in psoriasis, self-disgust has not yet been investigated in AD. This study examined self-disgust and disgust sensitivity in patients with AD and psoriasis, their associations with clinical characteristics, and potential differences in disgust-related profiles between the two conditions. In addition, the Dermatology Life Quality Index was used to assess the influence of disgust on health-related quality of life. In total 339 individuals with AD and 282 with psoriasis completed self-reported measures of self-disgust and disgust sensitivity. Group differences were examined using Welch’s t-tests against nonclinical reference samples, and associations with clinical characteristics were analysed using Pearson correlations. Both groups demonstrated significantly elevated disgust sensitivity and personal self-disgust compared with reference samples. Behavioural self-disgust showed no elevation in AD, whereas individuals with psoriasis demonstrated lower scores. Pruritus intensity and disease visibility were positively correlated with self-disgust and disgust sensitivity. Age and age at first diagnosis were negatively correlated with personal self-disgust and disgust sensitivity. A weak negative association emerged between female gender and personal self-disgust. Both chronic inflammatory skin diseases are associated with elevated disgust-related processes, which affect health-related quality of life. Psychological interventions targeting self-disgust may represent valuable therapeutic approaches for patients with AD and psoriasis.