A recent study highlights the psychological and social impacts of psoriasis on spouses, revealing the significant emotional and logistical challenges they face, including an overwhelming disease burden and a lack of support systems. Through interviews with fifteen spouses, the research identifies key themes such as the heavy burden of disease management, insufficient support networks, and varied coping strategies ranging from proactive engagement to emotional acceptance. It emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to recognize and address these challenges in spouses, not just patients, and to develop tailored support and intervention strategies that include mental health support. Additionally, the findings stress the importance of healthcare professionals integrating these insights into clinical practice to better support spouses. By understanding and enhancing the coping strategies used by spouses, such as acquiring disease knowledge and managing related challenges, medical professionals can help them navigate the complexities of psoriasis more effectively.

Reference: Wu M, Zeng S, Zhang Y, et al. Disease Burden and Coping Strategies of Spouses of Patients with Psoriasis: A Qualitative Study. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2024 Apr 17;17:1653-1662. doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S458075. PMID: 38646019; PMCID: PMC11032675.