Abstract:
The objectives of this quantitative research were to study (1) the level of psychological distress among psoriasis patients, (2) perceived and ideal self among psoriasis patients, and (3) the relationships between perceived self, ideal self, and psychological distress among psoriasis patients. Samples were 110 psoriasis patients who accepted treatment in a particular hospital in Bangkok from September to October, 2015 B.E. Questionnaires were used for data collection. Descriptive and inference statistics including frequency distribution, percentage, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, t-test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used for data analysis. The findings of this study indicated that (1) psoriasis patients had psychological distress at a moderate level, (2) both perceived self and ideal self were negatively evaluated; perceived self was negatively higher than ideal self, (3) perceived self and ideal self were positively related to psychological distress, and (4) the difference between perceived self and ideal self was not related to psychological distress among psoriasis patients. Medical doctors, nurses, and health staff could apply the results of this study for counseling and group activity to enhance ideal self, self-confidence, and self- acceptance of psoriasis patients. Moreover, psychological techniques such as positive thinking and cognitive-behavioral therapy could be arranged to help psoriasis patients increase self-satisfaction, decrease psychological distress and to be able to cope with their psychological distress.