Disgust, shame and the psychosocial impact of skin picking: Evidence from an online support forum. (November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Anderson, Suzy; Clarke, Victoria
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 24:Number 13(2019)
• Page Start: 1773
• Page End: 1784
• Publication Date: 2019-11
• Subjects: appearance -- experience -- mental illness -- psychological distress -- qualitative methods; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105317700254
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

This article examines the accounts of individuals who problematically pick their skin and explores their subjective experiences. In total, 100 problem disclosure statements were taken from posts made to a publicly accessible online skin picking support forum. These posts were systematically analysed using thematic analysis. Themes of disgust, shame and psychosocial avoidance dominated the analysis and appeared central to the experience of skin picking. Skin picking was shown to be a heterogeneous experience with a complex emotional profile. We argue that disgust, shame and related avoidance behaviour should be considered when conceptualising skin picking and considering treatment interventions.