Model System:

Burn

Reference Type:

JA

Accession No.:

Journal:


Journal of Psychosomatic Research

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 64, 2, 205-212

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Objective
Little is known about the course of body image dissatisfaction following disfiguring injury or illness. The objective of this study was to test a proposed framework for understanding the trajectory of body image dissatisfaction among burn survivors and to longitudinally investigate the role of body image in overall psychosocial functioning.

Methods
A sample of 79 survivors of severe burn injuries completed the Satisfaction with Appearance Scale (SWAP), the Importance of Appearance subscale of the Multidimensional Body–Self Relations Questionnaire, and the SF-36 in the hospital and at 6 and 12 months postdischarge (SWAP and SF-36). A repeated-measures analysis of covariance model was used to assess the course of body image dissatisfaction over time, and a path analysis model tested the role of body image dissatisfaction in mediating the relationship between preburn and postburn psychosocial functioning.

Results
Female sex (P<.05 total="" body="" surface="" area="" burned="" and="" importance="" of="" appearance="" predicted="" image="" dissatisfaction.="" from="" hospitalization="" to="" months="" postdischarge="" dissatisfaction="" increased="" for="" women="" individuals="" with="" larger="" burns="" compared="" respectively="" men="" smaller="" burns.="" in="" the="" path="" analysis="" was="" most="" salient="" predictor="" psychosocial="" function="" at="" p="" mediated="" relationship="" between="" preburn="" function.="">

Conclusion
Findings from this study suggest the importance of routine psychological screening for body image distress during hospitalization and after discharge.

Author(s):


Thombs, B. D., Notes, L. D., Lawrence, J. W., Magyar-Russell, G., Bresnick, M. G., Fauerbach, J. A.

Participating Centers: