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Parents' memories and appraisals after paediatric burn injury: a qualitative study
Marthe R Egberts1,2, Iris M Engelhard2, Alette E E de Jong1,3
1Department of Psychosocial and Behavioural Research, Association of Dutch Burn Centres, Beverwijk, the Netherlands.
Insights
Parents
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Trauma Studies
- Parental Mental Health
Background:
- Paediatric burn injuries are known to cause parental post-traumatic stress symptoms.
- Understanding parents' memories and appraisals is crucial for identifying trauma requiring clinical attention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To qualitatively explore parents' intrusive memories, appraisals, and emotions related to their child's burn injury, hospitalization, and aftermath.
- To inform clinical practice and trauma-informed care for families affected by paediatric burns.
Main Methods:
- Semi-structured interviews conducted 3-6 months post-injury with parents of 18 pediatric burn patients (0-16 years).
- Thematic analysis applied to interview data to identify recurring patterns and themes.
Main Results:
- A core theme of perceived external or internal threat was identified in parents' memories and appraisals.
- Intrusive memories focused on the accident and initial first aid, while memories of the child's suffering were emotional but not intrusive.
- Appraisals included concerns about vulnerability, responsibility, prolonged suffering, and permanent changes, alongside positive recovery outcomes.
- Commonly reported emotions included fear, sadness, guilt, and relief.
Conclusions:
- Paediatric burn injuries represent a significant trauma from the parental perspective.
- Findings offer valuable insights for developing and delivering trauma-informed aftercare for affected families.
Abstract:
Background: It is well established that a paediatric burn injury can lead to parental post-traumatic stress symptoms. The content of parents' memories and appraisals may reveal the traumatic experiences that need attention. Objective: To inform clinical practice, the aim of this study was to qualitatively examine parents' (intrusive) memories and appraisals, and associated emotions, concerning the injury, the hospitalisation, and its consequences. Method: Approximately three to six months after the burn event, semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents of 18 children (0-16 years old) that had been hospitalised for a burn injury. Thematic analysis was carried out to obtain themes. Results: A central element in parents' memories and appraisals was a sense of external or internal threat. Intrusive memories were predominantly related to the accident and first aid (i.e. threat of the injury), whereas parents' memories about the child's suffering were emotional but not experienced as intrusive. Later appraisals of the burn injury and its consequences included negative appraisals of the child's increased vulnerability, responsibility of self or other, the child's prolonged suffering and (risk of) permanent change, as well as appraisals of positive outcome and recovery. Emotions commonly reported in the context of memories and appraisals were fear, sadness, guilt, and relief. Conclusions: This study offers insight into the traumatic nature of paediatric burn injury from the parent's perspective and provides directions for the delivery of trauma-informed (after)care.