Childhood Psoriasis: Emotional Toll on Families During Adolescence

From hmpgloballearningnetwork.com

Psoriasis diagnosed in childhood profoundly affects not only children but also their parents, especially as they transition into adolescence, a pivotal phase for identity and self-esteem development. A recent interpretative phenomenological analysis published in the British Journal of Health Psychology sheds light on the multifaceted challenges faced by families navigating this chronic condition.

Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 8 parent-child pairs, identifying 3 key themes: transition and transaction, stigma and social impact, and the treatment journey. During childhood, uncertainties about treatment options were central concerns. However, as children approached adolescence, their struggles shifted toward issues of identity, body image, and self-management of the condition.

The social visibility of psoriasis emerged as a recurring source of distress. Both children and parents reported significant emotional challenges due to stigmatization, which heightened during adolescence. Parents expressed feelings of helplessness while witnessing their child’s increased responsibility for managing the disease and coping with peer scrutiny.

These findings underscore the systemic impact of psoriasis on families, highlighting a pressing need for interventions that address not only medical treatment but also emotional and social well-being. Researchers recommend mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioural therapy tailored to children and parents to reduce stress and enhance resilience.

“This study suggests that childhood psoriasis can have a significant impact on children, particularly as they begin to transition to adolescence. Findings also highlight the burden of psoriasis for parents,” researchers concluded. “As such, psychological interventions (such as adapted forms of mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioural-therapy) are needed to target and reduce stress. Such interventions are likely to require a systemic focus and support validation of the real impact and fear of stigmatization.”

 

Reference

Day M, Heapy C, Norman P, et al. Impact of childhood psoriasis on children and parents during transition to adolescence: an interpretative phenomenological analysis. Br J Health Psychol. 2025;30(1):e12763. doi:10.1111/bjhp.12763

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