Social challenges of visible scarring after severe burn: A qualitative analysis
© 2016 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI Introduction Visible scarring after burn causes social challenges which impact on interpersonal connection. These have health impacts which may worsen outcomes for burn patients and reduce the potential for posttraumatic growth (PTG). Aim The aim of the study was to inve...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
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Pergamon Press
2017
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/71032 |
| _version_ | 1848762371269459968 |
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| author | Martin, L. Byrnes, M. McGarry, Sarah Rea, S. Wood, Fiona |
| author_facet | Martin, L. Byrnes, M. McGarry, Sarah Rea, S. Wood, Fiona |
| author_sort | Martin, L. |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI Introduction Visible scarring after burn causes social challenges which impact on interpersonal connection. These have health impacts which may worsen outcomes for burn patients and reduce the potential for posttraumatic growth (PTG). Aim The aim of the study was to investigate adult burn survivors’ experiences of interpersonal relationships as potential barriers to posttraumatic recovery following hand or face burns. Method This qualitative study explored patient experiences of interpersonal situations. A purposive sample (n = 16) who had visible burn scarring were interviewed more than two years after their burn. Results Emotional barriers included the fear of rejection, feelings of self-consciousness, embarrassment and humiliation. Situational barriers included inquisitive questions, comments and behaviours of others. Responses depended on the relationship with the person, how they were asked and the social situation. Active coping strategies included positive reframing, humour, changing the self, and pre-empting questions. Avoidant coping strategies included avoidance of eye contact, closed body language, hiding scars, and learning to shut down conversations. Conclusion Emotional and situational barriers reduced social connection and avoidant coping strategies reduced the interaction of people with burns with others. Active coping strategies need to be taught to assist with social reintegration. This highlights the need for peer support, family support and education, and social skills training. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T10:46:30Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-71032 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T10:46:30Z |
| publishDate | 2017 |
| publisher | Pergamon Press |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-710322018-12-13T09:34:31Z Social challenges of visible scarring after severe burn: A qualitative analysis Martin, L. Byrnes, M. McGarry, Sarah Rea, S. Wood, Fiona © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI Introduction Visible scarring after burn causes social challenges which impact on interpersonal connection. These have health impacts which may worsen outcomes for burn patients and reduce the potential for posttraumatic growth (PTG). Aim The aim of the study was to investigate adult burn survivors’ experiences of interpersonal relationships as potential barriers to posttraumatic recovery following hand or face burns. Method This qualitative study explored patient experiences of interpersonal situations. A purposive sample (n = 16) who had visible burn scarring were interviewed more than two years after their burn. Results Emotional barriers included the fear of rejection, feelings of self-consciousness, embarrassment and humiliation. Situational barriers included inquisitive questions, comments and behaviours of others. Responses depended on the relationship with the person, how they were asked and the social situation. Active coping strategies included positive reframing, humour, changing the self, and pre-empting questions. Avoidant coping strategies included avoidance of eye contact, closed body language, hiding scars, and learning to shut down conversations. Conclusion Emotional and situational barriers reduced social connection and avoidant coping strategies reduced the interaction of people with burns with others. Active coping strategies need to be taught to assist with social reintegration. This highlights the need for peer support, family support and education, and social skills training. 2017 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/71032 10.1016/j.burns.2016.07.027 Pergamon Press restricted |
| spellingShingle | Martin, L. Byrnes, M. McGarry, Sarah Rea, S. Wood, Fiona Social challenges of visible scarring after severe burn: A qualitative analysis |
| title | Social challenges of visible scarring after severe burn: A qualitative analysis |
| title_full | Social challenges of visible scarring after severe burn: A qualitative analysis |
| title_fullStr | Social challenges of visible scarring after severe burn: A qualitative analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Social challenges of visible scarring after severe burn: A qualitative analysis |
| title_short | Social challenges of visible scarring after severe burn: A qualitative analysis |
| title_sort | social challenges of visible scarring after severe burn: a qualitative analysis |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/71032 |