A typology of spousal response to the crisis of severe burn

Although there has been some discussion in the literature of the psychological responses of spouses during acute and chronic illness, the needs of the spouse and how these may affect psychosocial intervention at the time of acute thermal injury have not been assessed. The behavioral responses of spouses of 25 consecutive burn patients, analyzed retrospectively, were categorized in terms of the manner in which they related to the clinical nurse specialist and other members of the burn team. Three main types are described: Poor Relators, Good Relators, and Over-Relators; the last group comprised two subgroups, the Clingers and the Pseudo-Relators. These interactional styles required specific assessment and management approaches, which are discussed.