Resiliency in burn recovery: a qualitative analysis

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Trauma Recovery
• Burn Injury Rehabilitation

Background:

• Long-term recovery from severe burn injuries is complex.
• Holistic health in adult burn survivors requires further investigation.
• Rural populations face unique challenges in accessing post-burn care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of adult burn survivors in rural areas.
• To identify resilient protective factors influencing long-term burn recovery.
• To inform community-based interventions for trauma survivors.

Main Methods:

• Phenomenological study design.
• Availability sampling of eight adult burn survivors (1 female, 7 male).
• Face-to-face interviews focusing on holistic health post-burn injury.

Main Results:

• Participants experienced burns ranging from 20% to 98% total body surface area (TBSA).
• Key resilient factors identified: resourcefulness, achievement motivation, optimism, spirituality, and empathy.
• These factors significantly contributed to participants' post-burn health and recovery.

Conclusions:

• Resilient protective factors are crucial for successful long-term burn recovery.
• Understanding these factors can guide social workers in developing effective community interventions.
• Interventions should focus on promoting resilience, health, and mental health for rural burn survivors.