The Potential of Instagram to Reduce Stigmatization of People with Psoriasis: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Abstract

Psoriasis is a stigmatized skin disease. This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate an Instagram based stigma-reduction intervention targeting daily Instagram users aged 18 to 49 years without psoria-sis. After stratification for baseline characteristics (t0), stigmatization of psoriasis was assessed using a ques-tionnaire and a photo-rating task immediately before (t1) and after (t2) the intervention and two weeks post-intervention (t3). Data from 54 participants, recruited in a university setting and via Instagram, were ana-lysed. For 10 min between t1 and t2, the intervention group (n = 26) and the control group (n = 28) scrolled through two different Instagram accounts. Psoriasis-sensitizing content was displayed to the intervention group while beauty-glorifying posts were shown to the control group. Results indicated significantly less Di-sease-related Misconceptions in the intervention group in comparison to the control group at t2 (U= 145.50, Z = –3.79, p < 0.001) and at t3 (U= 177.00, Z = –3.25, p = 0.003). Moreover, the intervention group showed a significant reduction over time in Stereotype Endor-sement (F(2, 50) = 13.40, p < 0.001, partial η² = 0.35) and Disease-related Misconceptions (χ2(2) = 12.64, p = 0.002). These findings suggest that addressing psoriasis on Instagram has the potential to effectively reduce the related stigmatization. Further studies are necessary to assess the impact of social media on stig-matization concerning psoriasis in more depth.