title: Psychiatric outcomes amongst adult survivors of childhood burns.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Research on the adult psychiatric outcomes of childhood burns is limited.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the rates of DSM-IV psychiatric disorder amongst adult survivors of paediatric burns, and to explore factors likely to contribute to variation in outcomes. In line with Meyer and colleagues [1], it was expected that high levels of psychopathology would be found.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 272 adults hospitalised for burns during childhood between the years 1980 and 1990. Structured interviews and self-report questionnaires were used to assess psychiatric symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lifetime prevalence of any DSM-IV disorder was 42%, 30% for depressive disorders, and 28% for anxiety disorders. Eleven percent had made a suicide attempt. Female gender, single relationship status, higher level of disfigurement, longer hospital stays and higher number of burn-related surgeries were associated with adverse psychiatric outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High rates of suicidality and depression were concerning in adults with a history of childhood burns. Factors found to predict psychiatric outcomes could be used to direct interventions and further research is needed to establish how this could best be done.
authors.affiliation: The Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies and the School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. Electronic address: freya.goodhew@adelaide.edu.au.
authors.forename: Freya
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Goodhew
authors.affiliation: The Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Miranda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Hooff
authors.affiliation: The Burns Unit, Adelaide Women's and Children's Hospital, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sparnon
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: The Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Jenelle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baur
authors.affiliation: The Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Elizabeth J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Saccone
authors.affiliation: The Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McFarlane
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D002056:Burns / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013021:South Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adult outcomes; Anxiety; Depression; Paediatric burns; Psychological outcomes; Suicidality; Trauma