“I just get scared it’s going to happen again”: A qualitative study of the psychosocial impact of pediatric burns from the child’s perspective

Abstract

Background Advances in medicine have improved the chances of survival following burn injuries, however, psychosocial outcomes have not seen the same improvement, and burn injuries can be distressing for both the child or young person, negatively affecting their wellbeing. Pediatric burn patients are at a higher risk of developing psychopathology compared to the general population. In order to promote resilience and prevent psychopathology post-burn injury for pediatric burn patients, it is crucial to understand the experience of children and young people after a burn. This study aimed to understand the psychosocial impact that a pediatric burn has as perceived by the pediatric burn patient. Methods Seven pediatric burn patients were interviewed from the Perth Metropolitan area on average 3.1 years after their injury. All participants had been admitted to hospital for their acute injury and stayed for a median length of 2 days in hospital. Interviews with pediatric patients took place online, and the patients were asked about their mental health, coping strategies, changes to lifestyle and supports following their burn injury. The interviews were transcribed and then thematically analysed using an inductive approach. Results Three overarching themes emerged from the interviews: burn-specific impact on the child or young person (including appearance concerns, family factors, and lifestyle factors), the psychological impact (including positive and negative impact on mental health), and factors supporting the recovery journey (including coping strategies and support services). The participants in our study highlighted issues they faced during recovery, the positive and negative impacts of the injury and recovery process and provided suggestions for future opportunities to bolster resilience and promote growth for pediatric burn patients who may face similar challenges in the future. Conclusion Factors that improve the mental health and wellbeing of pediatric burn patients should be promoted, such as mental health and social supports, the promotion of adaptive coping mechanisms, and meeting the needs of the family unit as a whole. Ultimately, the implementation of trauma-focused, family centred interventions is crucial for the psychosocial recovery of pediatric burn survivors.

Pflegerische Interventionen in der Nachsorge brandverletzter Kinder und Jugendlicher

“…Die körperlichen Beeinträchtigungen bilden zudem ein Risiko für das Größen-und Gewichtswachstum sowie für die Fähigkeit zur Teilnahme an organisierten Aktivitäten und den Einfluss auf soziale Interaktionen [9]. Kinder und Jugendliche mit Verbrennungen wiesen unter anderem eine hohe Rate an Angstzuständen, PTBS, Depressionen und kognitiven Schwierigkeiten sowie eine geringe Zufriedenheit mit dem Körperbild auf [3][4] [9][10][11][12]. Ebenfalls wurde bei betroffenen Eltern von vermehrten Angstsymptomen und traumatischem Stress sowie darüber berichtet, dass sie mit ihren Kindern emotional und psychisch mitleiden, Schuldgefühle und Scham entwickeln sowie ihre eigenen Bedürfnisse zurückstecken [4][9] [10] [12] [13].…”

Pain Management in Pediatric Burns: A Review of the Science behind It

“…For example, children with certain medical conditions, such as epilepsy or developmental disabilities, may be more prone to accidents and injuries, including burns [8]. Furthermore, studies have shown that children who have experienced a burn injury are at a higher risk of developing psychopathology, such as post-traumatic stress symptoms or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [9].…”

“…Te location of the burn can impact the functional and cosmetic outcomes of the injury. For example, burns on the hands or face may result in functional impairments and require specialized care and rehabilitation [9]. In addition, the severity and prognosis of pediatric burn injuries can be classifed based on factors such as the presence of an inhalation injury, comorbidities, and the risk of infection.…”

“…Burn injuries can be traumatic experiences for children, leading to anxiety, fear, and distress. Te psychological impact of burn injuries can infuence a child's perception and expression of pain, making it challenging to accurately assess their pain levels [9]. In addition, the presence of anxiety and PTSD can exacerbate pain experiences and complicate pain management strategies [19].…”

“…Te traumatic nature of burn injuries, the pain associated with treatment procedures, and the potential for disfgurement can contribute to the development of PTSD symptoms. Tese symptoms may include intrusive thoughts, nightmares, avoidance behaviors, and hyperarousal [9]. Scarring caused by burn injuries can have an infuence on the self-esteem of pediatric survivors.…”