ABSTRACT
A large body of research examining the psychological impact of psoriasis has shown that this skin disorder can seriously affect an individual’s quality of life and psychological functioning. However, there is also good evidence that, as with other disfiguring conditions, the degree of disfigurement is not a good guide to psychological adjustment (Kent & Thompson, Chapter 5, this volume). This chapter argues that research into factors affecting adjustment can be advanced by integrating findings with concepts in the wider formulations of body shame (Gilbert, Chapter 1, this volume).
