Alexithymia and Quality of Life: Clinical Psychological Phenomena related to Psoriasis

Introduction: Psoriasis is a significant, long-lasting dermatological disease representing a major source of discomfort for patients. Often accompanied by other invalidating phenomena such as arthritis, its impact on the mental functioning of patients is particularly relevant. In addition, it is known that psychological phenomena may represent a risk factor for the onset of the disease. In particular, psychosomatics has long studied psychological phenomena that represent consistent etiological factors. Alexithymia is recognized as a condition particularly interesting on the psychosomatic level, so that several studies tend to identify it as a predictive factor. In the light of the state of the art, this contribution aims to consider the role of alexithymia in a population of psoriatic subjects. Methods: Through a cross-sectional design and the administration of standardized psychological instruments, it was possible to appreciate the predictive role of alexithymia in relation to the patients’ perceived quality of life. The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the SF-36 were administered to patients in order to assess alexithymia and perceived quality of life. Descriptive, correlational and regression analyses were performed. Results: Through correlational analyses higher levels of alexithymia corresponded to a decrease in various domains related to perceived quality of life. Thus, linear regression analyses allowed us to understand how alexithymia constitutes a significant predictor of decreased quality of life. Discussion: The findings provide a significant basis for future action. Given the role of alexithymia and its impact on life of the involved individuals, it is necessary to implement studies that clearly and significantly demonstrate the need for evidence-based interventions.