Post-traumatic growth and spirituality in burn recovery

Abstract

For decades, research on long-term adjustment to burn injuries has adopted a deficit model of focusing solely on negative emotions. The presence of positive emotion and the experience of growth in the aftermath of a trauma have been virtually ignored in this field. Researchers and clinicians of other health and trauma populations have frequently observed that, following a trauma, there were positive emotions and growth. This growth occurs in areas such as a greater appreciation of life and changed priorities; warmer, more intimate relations with others; a greater sense of personal strength, recognition of new possibilities, and spiritual development. In addition, surveys of trauma survivors report that spiritual or religious beliefs played an important part in their recovery and they wished more healthcare providers were comfortable talking about these issues. Further evidence suggests that trauma survivors who rely on spiritual or religious beliefs for coping may show a greater ability for post-traumatic growth (PTG). This article reviews the literature on these two constructs as it relates to burn survivors. We also provide recommendations for clinicians on how to create an environment that fosters PTG and encourages patients to explore their spiritual and religious beliefs in the context of the trauma.

Posttraumatic Growth and its Relationship With Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis in Shiraz, Iran

“…Furthermore, this type of coping strategies allows patients to focus their energy on controllable aspects of stressful situations (Askay & Magyar-Russell 2009). Additionally, the results of this study provide partial support to the posttraumatic growth theory which assumes that traumatic events such as chronic diseases have the potential to lead to positive results as a function of cognitive (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004).…”

Medicine for the Spirit: Religious Coping in Individuals with Medical Conditions

“…In the same sample of cardiac patients, negative religious coping was a risk factor for hostility and anger coping [10]. In addition, negative religious coping has been linked to posttraumatic stress symptoms in burn patients [11].…”

“…In a study of cancer patients, 75% said they spent time in private religious activities at least once a month [8]. Although most studies using the Brief RCOPE do not provide prevalence rates of positive and negative religious coping, they generally suggest that patient samples make use of positive religious coping strategies more frequently than negative religious coping [8,[10][11][12][13]. Tarakeshwar et al [8] noted percentages of cancer patients who endorsed any use of negative religious coping strategies, breaking the results down by ethnicity and gender.…”

Spirituality/Religiosity as a Resource for Coping in Soldiers: A Summary Report

“…Indeed, trauma survivors relying on SpR beliefs for coping may show a greater ability for post-traumatic growth (i.e., greater appreciation of life and changed priorities, warmer, more-intimate relations with other people, a greater sense of personal strength, recognition of new possibilities, and spiritual development). 16 Moreover, even after spinalcord injury several patients have had positive experiences. Contributing factors to facilitating positive views were, personality (confidence, assertiveness, independent person), support systems (family, friends, and/or health care professionals), spiritual connectivity (hope and strength to continue with life), and acceptance of one's disability (many of these patients felt that acceptance was ongoing, requiring time and reflection).…”