Psychosocial Impacts of Burn Injuries on Patients and Their Families

Abstract

Background: Burn injuries not only cause significant physical trauma but also lead to severe psychological distress, social stigma, and financial burdens for both patients and their families. Understanding the psychosocial impacts of burns is crucial for developing effective mental health support, rehabilitation programs, and community reintegration strategies.

Methods: This hospital-based prospective observational study was conducted at RIMS, Ranchi, over one year, including 100 inpatients with acute burn injuries. Psychological assessments measured anxiety, depression, PTSD, coping strategies, and social support using standardized tools and clinical interviews. Data collection included demographic details, trauma-related stress, and stress biomarkers to evaluate the psychosocial impact of burn injuries.

Results: The study found that inpatient parents experienced significantly higher anxiety (mean = 11.05, SD = 5.40) and depression (mean = 7.80, SD = 3.75) compared to normative values. In the outpatient group, anxiety remained relatively stable over time, while depression peaked between 6–24 months post-injury before slightly decreasing. Family functioning gradually improved, with the lowest dysfunction scores observed in parents over two years post-injury. These findings highlight the need for early and long-term psychological support for parents of burn-injured children.

Conclusion: The study found high levels of anxiety (72%) and depression (46%) among inpatients, with psychological distress decreasing over time in outpatients. Family functioning was significantly impacted, particularly in the early months post-injury.

Keywords: Burn injuries, psychological impact, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, coping mechanisms, family functioning.