Anxiety, depression and PTSD-related symptoms in spouses and close relatives of burn survivors: When the supporter needs to be supported

The Prevalence and Course of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Partners of Burn Survivors

“…With respect to potential predictors of PTSD symptoms, a meta-analysis in a variety of PTSD samples showed that demographic variables were predictive in some populations but not in other, and that the strongest and most robust effects were found for peri-and post-trauma factors [17], but research on these factors in partners is limited. Previous research in family members of burn survivors showed that women and younger family members had higher PTSD symptom levels; and these associations were also reported in the ICU literature [3,10,15]. Burn related factors such as the presence of facial burns, length of hospital stay, ventilated days and total body surface area (TBSA) burned were not signi cantly associated with PTSD symptoms in a mixed sample of partners and other family members [3].…”

“…As early as 1971, their pivotal role in the adaptation process was recognized: 'Every patient in this study who was attended by his spouse or close family member during the early course of his hospitalization cited his or her presence as the single most important factor in sustaining him during that di cult period' [1]. More recent studies echo the importance of family members and especially partners, in supporting the burn survivor to enhance recovery both during the acute phase and after discharge from the hospital, when partners may take on the role of caretaker of the patient [2][3][4][5]. Back home, the burn survivor needs to adapt and self-manage social, physical, and emotional challenges [6] as a consequence of the burns.…”

“…Given the traumatic nature of a burn event and its potential life threat, partners are at risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) regardless of whether or not they witnessed the incident [7]. For example, a recent study in spouses and close relatives of burn survivors reported clinically relevant acute PTSD symptoms prevalence rates of 29% at admission to the burn unit and 15% at discharge [3]. A study in parents and spouses of burn survivors showed a prevalence rate of 52% at admission, which decreased to 25% at 6 to 8 months postburn [8, see also 9].…”

“…In the intensive care unit (ICU) literature, prevalence rates of acute PTSD symptoms ranged between 14% and 72%, decreasing to 23.6% to 36.2% at 12 months and 14% at 24 months [10][11][12][13][14]. However, no burn or ICU studies are available that document PTSD symptom trajectories exclusively in partners, even though differences in PTSD symptom levels between partners, parents and other relatives have been reported [3,10,15]. Partners are often the rst and most important source of support for the burn survivor and may face unique issues such as di culties in reconnecting emotionally to the patient [16].…”

Effects of the use of interactive E‐books by intensive care unit patients' family members: Anxiety, learning performances and perceptions

“…For the families of the patients, their anxiety could have mainly been affected by the patients' state of illness, while the use of the e-books mainly helped them learn more about the ICU environment and how to take care of the patient. As indicated by several previous studies, the anxiety of patients' family members is highly related to the patients' condition and could last until the patients experience significant recovery (Bond, Gourlay, Desjardins, Bodson-Clermont, & Boucher, 2017;Konstanti, Gouva, Dragioti, Nakos, & Koulouras, 2016;Nadig, Huff, Cox, & Ford, 2016). That is, the use of e-books might have an indirect impact on easing the anxiety of the patients' families, which might be shown in the future if a long-term experiment can be conducted.…”