The role of perceived social support in the relationships between self-esteem and posttraumatic growth in participants living with psychophysiological skin disorders
Loading...
Date
2022
Authors
Hawker, Shannon Jaimie
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
Psychophysiological skin disorders affect a large number of people and are associated with a heavy burden of disease worldwide. It was reported that at least 30% of patients with skin disorders have significant psychological co-morbidities. Many studies only focus on the pathological aspects of these skin ailments, as well as the impact of psychological distress and poor mental health. However, it remains imperative to establish factors that enable these patients to develop their personal strength, to increase their self-esteem, and to receive adequate support. Thus, the aim of this study was to expand on this body of research by investigating the relationship between self-esteem and posttraumatic growth, as well as whether perceived social support moderates or mediates the relationship between self-esteem and posttraumatic growth in participants living with psychophysiological skin disorders.
A sample of 100 participants aged between 18 and 60 years, who met one of the four types of psychophysiological skin disorders that this study included namely, Atopic Dermatitis, Psoriasis, Pruritus, and Alopecia were obtained from a hospital in Bloemfontein, Free State. Participants were selected using a non-probability, convenience sampling method. For the purpose of this study, a quantitative, non-experimental and correlational research design was utilised.
The Statistical Package of the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28 was employed to analyse the results of the study. In particular, the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients and multiple hierarchical regression analyses were performed to investigate the research objectives respectively. Results indicated that there is indeed a significant positive relationship between self-esteem and posttraumatic growth, with coefficients indicating a moderate to large effect size. Emotional-informational support, as an aspect of perceived social support, acts as a moderator between self-esteem and posttraumatic growth. Further, tangible support as an aspect of perceived social support did not moderate/mediate the relationship between self-esteem and posttraumatic growth.
The current study’s findings emphasise the implication of distinguishing between the emotional-informational and tangible dimensions of perceived social support in aiding increased self-esteem and posttraumatic growth amongst participants living with psychophysiological skin disorders.
Description
Dissertation (M.A.(Psychology))--University of the Free State, 2022
Keywords
Perceived social support, emotional-informational support, tangible support self-esteem, posttraumatic growth, psychophysiological skin disorders