Adult burn patients: the role of religion in recovery.

Patients who have had a severe physical injury, such as a burn, show wide variations in their abilities to cope with the stress of hospitalization and recovery. Clinical experience has consistently shown that some of these patients have remarkable emotional resilience, while others are more seriously affected. Many researchers have attempted to understand these variations in hope of finding ways to enhance the recovery process and to improve long-term outcome. Previous research shows that when burn patients are given the opportunity to talk about what helps them cope, they frequently credit their religious faith or God. We emphasize the importance of understanding the relationship between patients' religious beliefs and their ability to deal with the stress of a traumatic injury.