Disgust, shame and the psychosocial impact of skin picking: Evidence from an online support forum

Anderson, Suzy; Clarke, Victoria

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.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 1, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Apr 10, 2017
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2019
• Deposit Date: Aug 14, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 7, 2017
• Journal: Journal of health psychology
• Print ISSN: 1359-1053
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 24
• Issue: 13
• Pages: 1773-1784
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105317700254
• Keywords: appearance, experience, mental illness, psychological distress, qualitative methods
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/889352
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105317700254
• Contract Date: Sep 7, 2017