Social Appearance Anxiety and Quality of Life among Adolescents with Acne

Background: Acne is a prevalent condition among adolescents, significantly impacting their psychological well-being and quality of life. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between acne, social appearance anxiety, and quality of life among adolescents in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Objective: To explore the relationship between acne, social appearance anxiety, and quality of life among adolescents aged 12-19 years and to identify significant predictors of quality of life. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 327 participants (181 males and 146 females) recruited through purposive sampling from various educational institutions in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Data were collected using the Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI), Social Appearance Anxiety Scale (SAAS), Teenager's Quality of Life Index (T-QoL), informed consent forms, and a self-developed demographic sheet. Statistical analyses included correlation analysis, regression analysis, and t-tests using SPSS-21. Results: The study revealed a significant positive correlation between acne, social appearance anxiety, and quality of life (p < 0.01). Social appearance anxiety was the most significant predictor of quality of life (B = 0.30, p < 0.01), while age was the least significant (B = 0.23, p = 0.55). Females scored higher on quality of life (M = 12.93, SD = 7.37) compared to males (M = 12.80, SD = 6.64). Males scored higher on acne (M = 6.30, SD = 3.08) and social appearance anxiety (M = 41.31, SD = 13.74) compared to females (acne: M = 5.81, SD = 3.40; social appearance anxiety: M = 40.0, SD = 14.86). Conclusion: The study demonstrated that social appearance anxiety is a significant predictor of quality of life among adolescents with acne. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve the psychological well-being of adolescents affected by acne.