title: Functional and psychological outcomes following burn injury: reduced income and hidden emotions are predictors of greater distress.
abstract: 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.
authors: Health Systems Group, Centre for Health Services Research and Policy, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors: Jeanne
authors: J
authors: Reeve
authors: Frances
authors: F
authors: James
authors: Rob
authors: R
authors: McNeill
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Brown
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Cameron
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Mills
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D015984:Causality; D015897:Comorbidity; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D011788:Quality of Life; D014937:Work / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult