Psychological Assessment in 355 Chinese College Students With Androgenetic Alopecia

August 2018 in “ Medicine ”

Xia Wang, Chunping Xiong, Li Zhang, Bin Yang, Rongfang Wei, Liqian Cui, Xiangbin Xing

androgenetic alopecia somatization obsessive-compulsive behavior interpersonal sensitivity depression phobic anxiety psychoticism global severity index AGA GSI

TLDR Hair loss in Chinese college students leads to various psychological issues, so treatment should address both hair loss and mental health.

The study assessed the psychological state of 355 Chinese college students with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and found that they exhibited increased levels of somatization, obsessive-compulsive behavior, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, phobic anxiety, psychoticism, and global severity index (GSI) compared to control subjects. The study suggests that therapy for these students should include approaches for their psychological problems caused by AGA in addition to those for hair loss.

View this study on journals.lww.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

9 / 9 results

research Environmental Stress But Not Subjective Distress in Children or Adolescents With Alopecia Areata

43 citations , March 2011 in “Journal of psychosomatic research”

Kids with alopecia areata may experience more stress but not necessarily feel more anxious or depressed than others.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: Clinical Features, Classification, and Treatments

103 citations , June 2007 in “Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America”

Male pattern hair loss is genetic and influenced by hormones, with treatments like minoxidil and surgery available.

research Androgenetic Alopecia in Children: Report of 20 Cases

72 citations , March 2005 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

AGA can occur in children with family history; early diagnosis and treatment important.

research Family History and Risk of Hair Loss

49 citations , January 2004 in “Dermatology”

Men with a family history of hair loss are more likely to experience it themselves, especially if both parents have hair loss.

research Established Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease Are Unrelated to Androgen-Induced Baldness in Female-to-Male Transsexuals

57 citations , January 2004 in “Journal of Endocrinology”

Baldness caused by male hormones in female-to-male transsexuals doesn't increase the risk of heart disease.

research Genetic Basis of Male Pattern Baldness

191 citations , December 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Male pattern baldness is largely genetic, linked to the androgen receptor gene, and may relate to certain health issues.

research The Psychology of Hair Loss and Its Implications for Patient Care

138 citations , March 2001 in “Clinics in Dermatology”

Hair loss can significantly affect a person's self-esteem and body image, especially in young people, those who value their looks highly, and women.

research Psychological Effects of Androgenetic Alopecia on Women: Comparisons with Balding Men and Female Control Subjects

222 citations , October 1993 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Hair loss affects women's mental health more than men's, causing anxiety, low self-esteem, and social insecurity.

research Classification of the Types of Androgenetic Alopecia (Common Baldness) Occurring in the Female Sex

666 citations , September 1977 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Common baldness, also known as Androgenetic Alopecia, is caused by a combination of genetic factors and hormones called androgens.

Similar Research

5 / 1000+ results

research Association Between Androgenetic Alopecia and Psychological Well-Being: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

November 2025 in “Frontiers in Psychiatry”

People with androgenetic alopecia often experience more anxiety, depression, and lower self-esteem.

research Mood and Sexual Function in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

68 citations , January 2008 in “Seminars in reproductive medicine”

Women with PCOS often feel stigmatized and have mood issues, which can lower their sexual satisfaction, but proper treatment and support can help.

research The Burden of Alopecia Areata: A Scoping Review Focusing on Quality of Life, Mental Health, and Work Productivity

10 citations , January 2023 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Alopecia areata greatly affects people's life quality, mental health, and work life.

research Study of Item Text in the Chinese Symptom Checklist-90

8 citations , March 2021 in “Medicine”

The revised Chinese Symptom Checklist-90 is more reliable and valid for psychological assessments.

research Abstracts from the 17th Congress of the European Society for Dermatology and Psychiatry

January 2017 in “Acta dermato-venereologica”

The congress showed that psychological therapy can help skin condition patients, social media affects acne stigma, education improves atopic dermatitis, and patient satisfaction in dermatology is high, especially with good doctor engagement.