A psychological comparison of patients with malignant melanoma and other dermatologic disorders.

A study of 168 patients with melanoma and 135 patients with other dermatologic disorders was conducted to define and compare emotional reactions in these populations. A self-report test of mental health developed by the Rand Corporation and previously applied to large segments of the general public was used to measure psychologic status. Melanoma patients were approximately equal to the general public and strikingly superior to other dermatology patients in terms of emotional well-being. Profoundly diminished self-esteem among nonmelanoma dermatology patients and intensified utilization of psychic resources among melanoma patients are postulated as an explanation for this finding.