Abstract
Objective: Hair plays an important role in determining self-image, social perceptions, and psychosocial functioning. The objectives of this survey were to identify the impact of hair loss on the self-image of men in five European countries and their level of concern about hair loss with regard to image and personal attractiveness. Moreover, we evaluated participants' use of treatments for hair loss and whether treatment success was associated with psychological benefit. Research design and methods: A structured questionnaire of closed-ended questions was administered by telephone in major cities in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Random sampling was used, and eligible respondents were men from 18 to 45 years old. Results: Of the 1536 men responding to the telephone survey, 729 (47%) reported hair loss; these men are the subject of this report. Over 70% of these men reported hair to be an important feature of image, and 62% agreed that hair loss could affect self-esteem. The realization that they were losing hair was linked to concern about losing an important part of personal attractiveness (43% of men), fear of becoming bald (42%), concern about getting older (37%), negative effects on social life (22%), and feelings of depression (21%). Reduced self-confidence in personal attractiveness was also reported by 38% of men who were not in stable romantic relationships. Less than 10% of men were currently pursuing treatment for hair loss, and three out of four had never pursued treatment for hair loss, either at present or in the past. Those few men who pursued treatment and reported success (n= 73) also reported psychosocial benefits as a result: from 43% to 59% experienced improvements in parameters of self-esteem and perception of personal attractiveness. Reliance on self-reporting of hair loss and use of nonvalidated instruments to measure psychological outcomes are important study limitations. Conclusions: The results of this survey indicate a gap between the need for treatment of hair loss and initiation of such treatment among men in five European countries. Further research is needed into the factors affecting men's willingness to seek treatment for hair loss.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 2861 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1829-1836 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Current Medical Research and Opinion |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue number | 11 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 1 2005 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Androgenetic alopecia
- Hair loss
- Psychological
- Psychosocial well-being
- Self-esteem
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)
Cite this
The psychosocial impact of hair loss among men : A multinational European study. / Alfonso, Mariola; Richter-Appelt, Hertha; Tosti, Antonella; Viera, Miguel Sanchez; García, Marcos.
In: Current Medical Research and Opinion, Vol. 21, No. 11, 2861, 01.11.2005, p. 1829-1836.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The psychosocial impact of hair loss among men
T2 - A multinational European study
AU - Alfonso, Mariola
AU - Richter-Appelt, Hertha
AU - Tosti, Antonella
AU - Viera, Miguel Sanchez
AU - García, Marcos
PY - 2005/11/1
Y1 - 2005/11/1
N2 - Objective: Hair plays an important role in determining self-image, social perceptions, and psychosocial functioning. The objectives of this survey were to identify the impact of hair loss on the self-image of men in five European countries and their level of concern about hair loss with regard to image and personal attractiveness. Moreover, we evaluated participants' use of treatments for hair loss and whether treatment success was associated with psychological benefit. Research design and methods: A structured questionnaire of closed-ended questions was administered by telephone in major cities in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Random sampling was used, and eligible respondents were men from 18 to 45 years old. Results: Of the 1536 men responding to the telephone survey, 729 (47%) reported hair loss; these men are the subject of this report. Over 70% of these men reported hair to be an important feature of image, and 62% agreed that hair loss could affect self-esteem. The realization that they were losing hair was linked to concern about losing an important part of personal attractiveness (43% of men), fear of becoming bald (42%), concern about getting older (37%), negative effects on social life (22%), and feelings of depression (21%). Reduced self-confidence in personal attractiveness was also reported by 38% of men who were not in stable romantic relationships. Less than 10% of men were currently pursuing treatment for hair loss, and three out of four had never pursued treatment for hair loss, either at present or in the past. Those few men who pursued treatment and reported success (n= 73) also reported psychosocial benefits as a result: from 43% to 59% experienced improvements in parameters of self-esteem and perception of personal attractiveness. Reliance on self-reporting of hair loss and use of nonvalidated instruments to measure psychological outcomes are important study limitations. Conclusions: The results of this survey indicate a gap between the need for treatment of hair loss and initiation of such treatment among men in five European countries. Further research is needed into the factors affecting men's willingness to seek treatment for hair loss.
AB - Objective: Hair plays an important role in determining self-image, social perceptions, and psychosocial functioning. The objectives of this survey were to identify the impact of hair loss on the self-image of men in five European countries and their level of concern about hair loss with regard to image and personal attractiveness. Moreover, we evaluated participants' use of treatments for hair loss and whether treatment success was associated with psychological benefit. Research design and methods: A structured questionnaire of closed-ended questions was administered by telephone in major cities in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Random sampling was used, and eligible respondents were men from 18 to 45 years old. Results: Of the 1536 men responding to the telephone survey, 729 (47%) reported hair loss; these men are the subject of this report. Over 70% of these men reported hair to be an important feature of image, and 62% agreed that hair loss could affect self-esteem. The realization that they were losing hair was linked to concern about losing an important part of personal attractiveness (43% of men), fear of becoming bald (42%), concern about getting older (37%), negative effects on social life (22%), and feelings of depression (21%). Reduced self-confidence in personal attractiveness was also reported by 38% of men who were not in stable romantic relationships. Less than 10% of men were currently pursuing treatment for hair loss, and three out of four had never pursued treatment for hair loss, either at present or in the past. Those few men who pursued treatment and reported success (n= 73) also reported psychosocial benefits as a result: from 43% to 59% experienced improvements in parameters of self-esteem and perception of personal attractiveness. Reliance on self-reporting of hair loss and use of nonvalidated instruments to measure psychological outcomes are important study limitations. Conclusions: The results of this survey indicate a gap between the need for treatment of hair loss and initiation of such treatment among men in five European countries. Further research is needed into the factors affecting men's willingness to seek treatment for hair loss.
KW - Androgenetic alopecia
KW - Hair loss
KW - Psychological
KW - Psychosocial well-being
KW - Self-esteem
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=27944504611&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=27944504611&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1185/030079905X61820
DO - 10.1185/030079905X61820
M3 - Article
C2 - 16307704
AN - SCOPUS:27944504611
VL - 21
SP - 1829
EP - 1836
JO - Current Medical Research and Opinion
JF - Current Medical Research and Opinion
SN - 0300-7995
IS - 11
M1 - 2861
ER -