Young Men's Coping with Androgenetic Alopecia: Acceptance Counts When Hair Gets Thinner

August 2011 in “ Body Image ”

Dirk Kranz

androgenetic alopecia hair loss medical consultation dermatologists AGA balding

Studysummary This study found that acceptance of hair loss is associated with lower psychological distress in young men, highlighting its adaptive role compared to compensation and avoidance strategies.

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This study examined the coping mechanisms of young men with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and their relationship with hair loss distress and medical consultation. The study found that compensatory and avoidance coping mechanisms were positively associated with hair loss distress, while acceptance was negatively related to hair loss distress, especially at an advanced stage of hair loss. Acceptance was also found to have a direct negative effect on medical consultation, while the positive associations of compensation and avoidance with medical consultation were mediated by distress. The study suggests that responsible practitioners and dermatologists should encourage their patients to come to terms with their hair loss, rather than medically or surgically treating balding in young men.

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research Attitudes, Behaviors, and Expectations of Men Seeking Medical Treatment for Male Pattern Hair Loss: Results of a Multinational Survey

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research Evaluation and Treatment of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss

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research Male Androgenetic Alopecia

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research Male-Pattern Hair Loss in Norwegian Men: A Community-Based Study

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research The Psychosocial Consequences of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review of the Research Literature

180 citations , September 1999 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This review discusses the psychological and social impacts of androgenetic alopecia and suggests that medical treatments can have some positive psychological effects, highlighting the condition's moderate stress and impact on body image.

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research Effects of Self-Perceived Hair Loss in a Community Sample of Men

74 citations , January 1998 in “Dermatology”

This study reported that men with more significant hair loss experience greater negative psychosocial effects, particularly noticeable in younger age groups.

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”

This study found that androgenetic alopecia causes significant psychological distress, particularly in women, who exhibit a more negative body image and less adaptive functioning compared to controls.

research The Psychological Effects of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

192 citations , June 1992 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Hair loss can cause low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression in men.

research Psychological Characteristics of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia and Their Modification

38 citations , January 1991 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

In this study, men with androgenic alopecia taking minoxidil gel generally showed no evidence of psychological malfunction, but those over 35 experienced greater psychological improvement when they had cosmetic success with the treatment.