title: Psychological distress among survivors of burn injury: the role of outcome expectations and perceptions of importance.
abstract: This study examined factors associated with psychologic distress among survivors of burn injury. The study tested hypotheses derived from Scheier and Carver's model of behavioral self-regulation and focused on two primary predictor variables: expectations concerning rehabilitative outcomes and the importance attached to those outcomes. The study used a cross-sectional research design. Two hundred sixteen people who had sustained major or moderate thermal burn injuries within 2 years of study entry served as subjects. Data were collected via mailed questionnaire and chart review. Consistent with study hypotheses, we found that participants who had low expectations for further improvement but who attached high importance to the need for improvement exhibited the most psychologic distress. Study findings lend support to Scheier and Carver's model and suggest that application of this model within the context of burn rehabilitation may increase our understanding of the rehabilitation process. Directions for future theory-based research are discussed.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27599-7330.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Blalock
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Bunker
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: DeVellis
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D012647:Self-Assessment; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires