Lisa Martin1, Michelle Byrnes2, Sarah McGarry3, Suzanne Rea1,3,4, Fiona Wood1,3,4. 1. a Burn Injury Research Unit , University of Western Australia , Crawley , WA , Australia ; 2. b Clinical Psychology Unit , Australian Neuromuscular Research Institute, University of Western Australia , Nedlands , WA, Australia ; 3. c Fiona Stanley Hospital, Fiona Wood Foundation, MNH (B) Main Hospital , Murdoch , WA , Australia ; 4. d Fiona Stanley Hospital, Burn Service of Western Australia, MNH (B) Main Hospital , Murdoch , WA , Australia.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is "the subjective experience of positive psychological change reported as a result of the struggle with trauma". Very few studies have explored PTG after burn injury. The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) is a 21-item questionnaire which assesses five domains in which PTG has been found. First, the aim of this study was to assess how PTG presented after a severe burn, and second, whether it could be measured by the PTGI in Australian burn survivors. METHODS: A mixed method approach was used. Seventeen patients who had a severe burn injury at least 2 years previously were interviewed and completed the PTGI. The interviews were analyzed, then compared to the PTGI responses. RESULTS: PTG in burn survivors had similarities to PTG arising from other trauma. Burn-specific context such as heat intolerance and functional problems influenced the type of changes made. Barriers to PTG in relationships were related to guilt burden and visible scarring. CONCLUSION: PTG presents similarly after burn to other trauma types, but has other features to consider when devising intervention strategies. The PTGI is a 5-min screening tool that adequately identifies the presence or absence of PTG in burn survivors in Western Australia, and can guide intervention. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory is a 5-min screening tool that adequately identifies the degree of PTG in burn survivors in Western Australia. It is a quick and easy tool to use to identify the need for clinical intervention. It will also evaluate the effectiveness of strategies designed to target PTG. A mean score of 2.5 can be used as a threshold to guide intervention strategy.
PURPOSE:Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is "the subjective experience of positive psychological change reported as a result of the struggle with trauma". Very few studies have explored PTG after burn injury. The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) is a 21-item questionnaire which assesses five domains in which PTG has been found. First, the aim of this study was to assess how PTG presented after a severe burn, and second, whether it could be measured by the PTGI in Australian burn survivors. METHODS: A mixed method approach was used. Seventeen patients who had a severe burn injury at least 2 years previously were interviewed and completed the PTGI. The interviews were analyzed, then compared to the PTGI responses. RESULTS: PTG in burn survivors had similarities to PTG arising from other trauma. Burn-specific context such as heat intolerance and functional problems influenced the type of changes made. Barriers to PTG in relationships were related to guilt burden and visible scarring. CONCLUSION: PTG presents similarly after burn to other trauma types, but has other features to consider when devising intervention strategies. The PTGI is a 5-min screening tool that adequately identifies the presence or absence of PTG in burn survivors in Western Australia, and can guide intervention. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory is a 5-min screening tool that adequately identifies the degree of PTG in burn survivors in Western Australia. It is a quick and easy tool to use to identify the need for clinical intervention. It will also evaluate the effectiveness of strategies designed to target PTG. A mean score of 2.5 can be used as a threshold to guide intervention strategy.
Authors: Emily A Ohrtman; Gabriel D Shapiro; Audrey E Wolfe; Nhi-Ha T Trinh; Pengsheng Ni; Amy Acton; Mary D Slavin; Colleen M Ryan; Lewis E Kazis; Jeffrey C Schneider Journal: Burns Date: 2020-09-15 Impact factor: 2.744
Authors: Cayla J Saret; Pengsheng Ni; Molly Marino; Emily Dore; Colleen M Ryan; Jeffrey C Schneider; Lewis E Kazis Journal: J Burn Care Res Date: 2019-08-14 Impact factor: 1.819