Psychosocial Factors of Burn Related Injuries and Perceived Gaps in Service Delivery During the Rehabilitation Period: A Mixed Methods Study

Background:

Survivors of burn injury can experience a broad spectrum of physical and psychological outcomes depending on the burn severity (Esselman, 2007; Fauerbach et al., 2007). Strides in research have been made to further our understanding of burn related injuries, however, there are gaps in the literature concerning the areas of prevention, intervention, and improving outcomes for psychosocial adjustment post-burn, and a fractious and varied approach to the measurement of psychosocial adjustment (Attoe & Pounds-Cornish, 2015). Two major research areas have been identified as priority areas in burn research: further understanding psychosocial factors associated with burn related injuries and intervention related research (Fauerbach, Pruzindky, & Saxe, 2007; Attoe & Pounds-Cornish, 2015). Attoe & Pounds-Cornish (2015) identified the following constructs as warranting further study: depression anxiety disorders, phobias, substance abuse, sexuality, body image, peer support, post-traumatic growth, social support, active coping, sleep problems, bullying. Fauerbach, Pruzindky, & Saxe (2007) added that the role of length of hospital stay, personality, burn characteristics, and time since burn on return to work, work changes, and work satisfaction are also important factors to study.

There is, without question, an important bridge to be built between our emerging understanding of the psychosocial needs among burn survivors and the offering of hope through intervention (Fauerbach, Pruzindky, & Saxe, 2007). The first step to ensure that interventions are effective is to identify and assess which services and interventions are available, utilization of these services, patient satisfactions of services, measured outcomes, degree of compliance, facilitators and barriers to psychosocial interventions, impact of psychological and psychological stressors on outcomes, and gaps in services. Having a greater understanding of the psychosocial factors and needs among burn survivors has the potential to impact how services are developed, implemented, and utilized.

Research Objectives and Purpose:

The two research questions guiding this study are: