Anxiety and Coping Strategies in Caregivers of Children With Epidermal Differentiation Disorders: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background

Epidermal differentiation disorders (EDDs) are rare, chronic skin diseases with significant psychosocial impact on patients and families. Their daily management requires complex care, placing caregivers at risk of stress and anxiety. Few studies have systematically examined anxiety and coping strategies in this group.

Objectives

To compare anxiety levels and coping styles between caregivers of children with syndromic or nonsyndromic EDD and caregivers of healthy children.

Methods

In this cross-sectional case-control study, 39 caregivers of children with EDD and 39 matched controls were recruited from a dermatology clinic. Anxiety was assessed with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and coping styles with the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS). Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected.

Results

Caregivers of children with EDDs reported significantly higher trait anxiety than controls (79.5% vs. 53.8%; p = 0.017). Task-oriented coping (TOC) was less frequent among EDD caregivers, with more than half showing low TOC compared with less than one-third of controls (56.4% vs. 28.6%; p = 0.019). High avoidance-oriented coping (AOC) was observed more often in controls (21.4% vs. 5.6%; p = 0.044). Anxiety was greater among caregivers of boys than girls (95.7% vs. 56.2%; p = 0.003). Avoidant coping was associated with greater child symptom severity, including pruritus and redness.

Conclusions

Caregivers of children with EDD experience high anxiety and rely less on adaptive coping strategies. These findings emphasize the need for early, family-centered psychosocial interventions to support caregiver well-being and improve outcomes for affected children.