Perceived Stigma Mediates the Relationship Between Health-Related Quality of Life and Depression in People With Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) significantly impacts an individual's life. Prior research has found positive correlations between the disease's impact on daily quality of life, depression, and perceived stigmatization. However, the interaction of these variables in predicting depression levels in people with AD is currently not well understood. The present study aimed to address this knowledge gap by investigating whether the relationship between health-related quality of life and depression is mediated by perceived stigmatization. Using an online survey, a sample of people with AD (N = 334) completed the Dermatology Life Quality Index to assess disease impact, the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 to assess mood impairment, and a six-item Stigmatization Scale to measure perceived stigmatization. Results indicated that the relationship between disease impact and depression was partially mediated by stigma. Since stigma can partially explain the link between disease impact and depression, psychosocial support interventions should aim to target stigma to alleviate depressive symptoms as a common comorbidity of AD.