A pilot study exploring the relationship between trauma symptoms and appearance concerns following burns

Abstract

Individuals who have experienced burns often have to adjust to distressing changes to their appearance. Trauma symptoms are another common psychological difficulty in the burn-injured population. However, there has been a lack of research exploring the possible relationship between trauma symptoms and appearance concerns in populations where incidents have led to appearance changes, including burns. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the relationship between trauma symptoms and appearance concerns in the burn-injured population. Burn-injured patients (n=33) referred to a Burns Clinical Psychology service completed measures of trauma symptom severity, appearance concerns and changes in outlook. Analyses revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between trauma symptoms and appearance concerns (r=0.41, p<0.01, one-tailed). Participants with higher trauma symptoms had more appearance concerns. Furthermore, negative changes in outlook following the burns were positively related to trauma symptoms (r=0.69, p<0.001, two-tailed) and appearance concerns (r=0.50, p<0.01, two-tailed). Age was negatively related to appearance concerns (r=−0.41, p<0.05, two-tailed) but not trauma symptoms. Gender was not statistically related to trauma symptoms or appearance concerns. Burn injury factors (% TBSA, primary location of the injury, cause of the injury and time since the injury) were not related to trauma symptoms or appearance concerns. In conclusion, trauma symptoms and appearance concerns following burns may be positively related and further research in this area is needed. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.