Journal article

Publication year: 2015

Pages: 148-150

Journal: Experimental Dermatology

Volume number: 24

Issue number: 2

ISSN: 0906-6705

eISSN: 1600-0625

Open access status: Bronze

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1111/exd.12578

Publisher: Wiley

Abstract: 
Even though it has been shown that stress and itch are associated in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), it remains unclear whether this relationship occurs due to certain coping strategies being activated under stress. Therefore, this study investigates the role of coping as possible mediating factor between stress and itch in 31 patients with AD. Coping and itch were assessed by self-reported measures, while stress was measured both by a validated questionnaire and by a physiological stress marker, the postawakening cortisol. Using a regression and a mediation analysis, this study showed a relationship between perceived stress and itch (corrected R-2=0.21), which was fully mediated by negative itch-related cognitions. 62.3% of the variance of itch intensity could be explained by negative itch-related cognitions. This finding helps to explain the positive effects of cognitive restructuring in the treatment of chronic itch.

Harvard Citation style: Schut, C., Weik, U., Tews, N., Gieler, U., Deinzer, R. and Kupfer, J. (2015) Coping as mediator of the relationship between stress and itch in patients with atopic dermatitis: a regression and mediation analysis, Experimental Dermatology, 24(2), pp. 148-150. https://doi.org/10.1111/exd.12578

APA Citation style: Schut, C., Weik, U., Tews, N., Gieler, U., Deinzer, R., & Kupfer, J. (2015). Coping as mediator of the relationship between stress and itch in patients with atopic dermatitis: a regression and mediation analysis. Experimental Dermatology. 24(2), 148-150. https://doi.org/10.1111/exd.12578