Anxiety and self-consciousness in patients with facial lacerations one week and six months later.
We explored the psychological impact of disfigurement resulting from facial lacerations in patients who presented at an accident and emergency department in the UK. Patients participated in relevant sections of the Derriford Appearance Scale and State Trait Anxiety Inventory at one week and six months after injury. In all patients self-consciousness and anxiety scores were higher than in the general population. The extent of the scar, the patient's living arrangements, and the cause of the injury were significantly related to self-consciousness and anxiety. General self-consciousness improved at six months but not social self-consciousness and anxiety. These injuries may have a considerable impact on the lives of the affected people.
Tebble
Nicola J
NJ
Wound Healing Research Unit, Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff Medicentre, Cardiff CF14 4UJ, UK.
Adams
Robert
R
Thomas
David W
DW
Price
Patricia
P
D000059:Accidents / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000523:psychology; D001828:Body Image; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000523:psychology; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D022125:Lacerations / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012649:Self Concept; D012917:Social Adjustment; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology