Life changes following trauma in female burn survivors: a narrative inquiry

Burn survivors endure repeated exposure to intense pain and face recurring trauma throughout social adaptation. This study explored how female burn survivors construct the meaning of their traumatic experience of a burn accident and the subsequent changes in their lives.

A qualitative study was conducted using narrative inquiry. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling, and each engaged in three in-depth interviews, resulting in a total of 21 interviews between April 18, 2024, and August 1, 2024. Each interview lasted 90 minutes on average and was conducted in a comfortable location preferred by the participants. The collected data were analyzed through Connelly and Clandinin's approach.

The participants were seven women with burns on the full body, face-upper limbs, or face-torso. All burns were third- to fourth-degree, and most participants had lived with these injuries for over 10 years. From the significant statements, five themes and 12 subthemes were extracted. The five themes were "unforeseen catastrophe," "burn scars encroaching upon daily life," "navigating life as an incomplete woman," "exclusion from social integration," and "the meaning of life deepened by suppressed pain."

Female burn survivors experienced immense hardships following their accidents. However, through their recovery efforts, they found new meaning in life, experienced a renewed sense of being alive, and achieved inner growth and maturity. This study highlights the need for social support and underscores the importance of providing various opportunities and policy assistance for female burn survivors dealing with trauma.