Functional and Psychological Outcomes Following Burn Injury: Reduced Income and Hidden Emotions Are Predictors of Greater Distress

The aim of this study is to determine whether functional and psychosocial outcomes after burn injury in New Zealand are consistent with the international literature. Fifty participants with burns >10% TBSA and a mean of 5.1 years since burn completed a survey that included questionnaires and open...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of burn care & research 2011-07, Vol.32 (4), p.468-474
Main Authors: REEVE, Jeanne, JAMES, Frances, MCNEILL, Rob, BROWN, Paul, CAMERON, Linda, MILLS, Stephen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activities of Daily Living
Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Burns
Burns - economics
Burns - epidemiology
Burns - psychology
Causality
Comorbidity
Cost of Illness
Depression - epidemiology
Depression - psychology
Dermatology
Female
Humans
Income - statistics & numerical data
Injury Severity Score
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
New Zealand
Quality of Life
Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents
Work - psychology
Young Adult
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Summary:The aim of this study is to determine whether functional and psychosocial outcomes after burn injury in New Zealand are consistent with the international literature. Fifty participants with burns >10% TBSA and a mean of 5.1 years since burn completed a survey that included questionnaires and open-ended questions. The rates of psychosocial distress for this sample were consistent with international reports. Psychological distress was predicted by negative change in income and by reports that the individual has hidden thoughts and emotions from others. Respondents also described positive changes in their life as a result of the burn injury that were independent of negative outcomes. Participants indicated good long-term functional improvement but ongoing psychological distress. Important indicators for poor outcome may be loss of income and reluctance to discuss emotions.
ISSN:1559-047X
1559-0488
DOI:10.1097/BCR.0b013e3182223c46