Related Experiment Videos
Rates of dysfunction in parents of pediatric patients with burns
Kendall-Grove1, D M Ehde, D R Patterson
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle 98104, USA.
Insights
Many parents of children treated for burns report family dysfunction, with nearly 30% of older children also showing signs of dysfunction. Interventions should address both parents and children, recognizing burns as a symptom of underlying psychosocial issues.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Pediatric burn injuries can be associated with underlying family and child psychosocial issues.
- Understanding the prevalence of family and child dysfunction is crucial for effective treatment and prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the rates of family and child dysfunction in children admitted for burn treatment.
- To identify the scope of psychosocial problems within families experiencing pediatric burns.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, consecutive sampling of 111 children admitted for burn treatment.
- Demographic questionnaire administered to parents during the child's hospitalization.
Main Results:
- 36% of families reported significant parental dysfunction (substance abuse, CPS involvement, incarceration, psychiatric history).
- 29% of children over age 4 exhibited significant dysfunction (abuse, psychiatric disorders, behavioral issues, learning disabilities).
Conclusions:
- Parents of children with burns exhibit a high rate of dysfunction.
- Psychological and preventive interventions should target both parents and children.
- Burn injuries frequently serve as indicators of broader family psychosocial problems.
Abstract:
The purpose of the current study was to examine the rates of family and child dysfunction in a prospectively, consecutively admitted sample of children. One hundred eleven parents of children consecutively admitted for burn treatment were interviewed using a demographic questionnaire during their child's stay. Results of the questionnaire indicated that in 36% of the families, at least one parent reported significant dysfunction (history of substance abuse, involvement with Child Protective Services, incarceration, or psychiatric history). Results also indicated that 29% of the children over the age of 4 years had significant dysfunction (physical or sexual abuse, or both, psychiatric disorder, behavior problems, or learning disability. It was concluded that (1) parents of children with burns had a substantially high rate of dysfunction, (2) psychologic and preventive interventions should be focused on parents as well as children, and (3) burn injuries often should be regarded as a symptom rather than a cause of psychosocial problems in the family.