抄録
Structure of social support desired by adult patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) was investigated. In Study 1, 106 patients (aged 14-71 years; M=26.09) responded to an open-ended questionnaire inquiring about their subjective evaluation of helpful or unhelpful actions of people around them. In Study 2, 231 patients (aged 16-63 years; M=28.71) rated questionnaire items that were developed based on the results of Study 1. A factor analysis of these responses yielded four factors related to family support, four factors related to support by friends and acquaintances, and two factors related to support by physicians. The results indicated that characteristics of interpersonal relationships are reflected in the support desired from each source. In addition, the evaluation of support was partially influenced by individual differences such as gender, age, severity of symptoms, and the interaction of these factors. Specifically, young men appeared to be less receptive to support than other groups. Therefore, it is important to take sources of support and individual differences into consideration when providing support to patients with AD.
