title: Post-traumatic growth in adults following a burn.
abstract: It is well established that a burn can result in negative psychological consequences. Throughout the literature there is also reference to individuals reporting positive changes post-burn. The concept of 'post-traumatic growth' (PTG) refers to such individuals, whose recovery exceeds pre-trauma levels of well-being. To date there has only been one quantitative analysis directly examining PTG post-burn. The present study builds on this, examining the prevalence of PTG and related constructs, including: social support, coping styles, dispositional optimism, functioning, post-traumatic stress symptoms, severity and time since burn. Seventy-four participants recruited through a regional burns unit completed a battery of self-report questionnaires. Burn survivors were found to experience PTG, although to a lesser degree than previous research suggests (GM=1.26, range=0-4.67). Severity of burn, post-burn functioning and trauma symptoms significantly correlated with PTG. Regression analysis proposed a model explaining 51.7% of the variance, with active coping, perceived social support and avoidance coping as significant predictors of PTG. Results support the theory that distress and trauma symptoms act as a catalyst for PTG. Coping styles and social support appear to facilitate this process. Clinical implications are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom. Electronic address: bailliesarah@hotmail.co.uk.
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Baillie
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom. Electronic address: sellwood@liverpool.ac.uk.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sellwood
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of South Manchester, United Kingdom. Electronic address: julie.wisely@mhsc.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Wisely
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002056:Burns / Q000523:psychology*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adults; Benefit finding; Burn; Post-traumatic growth