A study of self-monitoring processes and coping behaviour in burns victims

This is a quasi-experimental study to examine the manner in which burns victims cope with and self-monitor their presentation. Self-monitoring was measured by the Revised Self-monitoring Scale and coping with the Revised Ways of Coping Scale. Observations were made at weeks 2, 8 and 16 postburn. Conclusions were that self-monitoring does not change over time and the location of burns scars does not affect coping or self-monitoring. At 8 weeks postburn females have encountered more stresses and do more coping than males, and females use more emotion-focused coping than males as a whole. Recommendations are for increased patient education programmes on postburn information and predischarge counselling and for more staff education programmes on identification of major coping strategies and predischarge planning.