ArticleCureus2025
Psychological Impact of Hyperpigmentation and Acne on the Self-Esteem and Academic Performance of International Students.
Article in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundAcne and hyperpigmentation are ubiquitous problems for young adults, but they are more than visible changes. They can affect confidence, reduce peer acceptance, and distract attention from academic work. This study examined their impact on international students, considering how cultural beauty standards and peer judgment may shape these experiences. MATERIALS AND
methodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted at Jilin University, enrolling 150 international students aged 18-30 years. Participants completed a questionnaire using validated scales, including the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and Likert scales, to assess anxiety symptoms, academic effects, and perceived cultural pressure. Chi-square tests and correlation analysis were used to investigate the relationships between variables.
resultsAmong 150 participants, 45% reported low to very low self-esteem, and 43% experienced anxiety symptoms. Approximately 20% indicated that acne or hyperpigmentation negatively affected their academic engagement. Cultural beauty standards have a significant influence on self-perception, particularly among individuals of East Asian descent (85%) and South Asian descent (70%). A significant association was found between ethnicity and perceived beauty pressure (χ²(4) = 19.89, p < 0.001; Cramér's V = 0.29).
conclusionsAcne and hyperpigmentation significantly impact students' psychological well-being and academic performance, particularly in cultural contexts with rigid beauty standards. These findings underscore the importance of providing inclusive, culturally sensitive mental health and dermatological support within academic institutions.
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