A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY OF PERSONS WITH PSORIASIS Arcangel, Samantha G., Paliza, Alain Lovely T.
College of Health Sciences University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi Rawis Legazpi City, Philippines, 4500

ABSTRACT

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that has been known to mankind and there is no known cure. Psoriasis affects all races and both sexes and may develop at anytime of their life. This research utilized a phenomenological approach to explore lived experience of persons with psoriasis in terms of the profile, the effects of psoriasis in terms of body image, self-esteem and social relationship, their coping mechanisms and proposed measures to promote quality of life. This was achieved by conducting a one on one interview to the participants in order to provide a detailed account of their experiences. This research utilized the theory of Betty Neuman's Health Care System Model and Ca'lista Roy's Adaptation Model of Nursing. Snowball sampling was used to determine the 4 participants with psoriasis. There were two female and two male participants with ages ranging from 27 to 56. The effects of psoriasis in terms of body image are body image disturbance; in self-esteem, frustration, embarrassment and depression; while in social relationship, it led the participants to social isolation. The coping mechanism used is by having faith in
God. The researchers concluded that the participants had negative experiences. This research recommends that the participants should seek medical assistance to enable health care professionals to help them lessen the aggravating symptoms of the disease. This study developed the researchers' better understanding of the experiences of persons with psoriasis.