The aim of the study is to verify the assumption that the impact of the so-called social audience and the evaluation of chronic illness as dependent on the patient differentiates the sense of stigma experienced and the evaluation of health-related quality of life. In addition, it can be hypothesised that the sense of stigma will affect the sense of quality of life differently in the three study groups.
102 women in early adulthood, comprising two clinical groups: those with visible and chronic obesity (n = 30) and those with visible, chronic skin disease (n = 31). The comparison group consisted of normal-weight women without skin disease (n = 42). The study groups were of the same age. Most of the respondents lived in the Tri-City and surrounding areas. Sense of stigma was assessed using the Perceived Stigma Questionnaire PSQ. Quality of life was assessed using the Quality of Life Questionnaire. In addition, respondents' height and weight were measured to calculate the anthropometric index - BMI. The chronic disease and its type differentiate young women in terms of perceived quality of life and feelings of stigma. Obese women rated their physical functioning worst. There were no differences in perceived health-related quality of life between women with chronic skin diseases and healthy women. Regarding feelings of stigma, the group of young obese women were more likely to rate experienced behaviours as hostile than women with chronic skin diseases and comparison women.