Ms Lisa Martin1, Dr Michelle Byrnes2, Dr Sarah McGarry3, Professor Suzanne Rea1,4, Professor Fiona Wood1,4
1Burn Injury Research Unit, University Of Western Australia, 2Clinical Psychology Research Unit, Western Australian Neuroscience Research Institute, University of Western Australia, 3School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work, Curtin University, 4WA Health, Burns Unit, Fiona Stanley Hospital
Abstract:
Good psychological recovery after burn injury is helped by changes in thinking that improves coping. A process of psychological growth, the changes in thinking make the event more understandable and meaningful, and the improved coping helps to make the event and its consequences more manageable. A narrative review of the academic literature discusses the conceptual cross theoretical mapping of the sense of coherence theory of resilience [1], the self-determination theory of motivation [2] and the theory of posttraumatic growth [3] after adult burn [4] and reveal six themes that underpin helpful coping styles. These six themes, and their associated core messages, provide a solid, theory-based rationale for the patient education information leaflet and associated infographic that can be made available to patients recovering from burn injury.
[1] Antonovsky A. Unraveling the mystery of health: How people manage stress and stay well. San Francisco: Josey-Bass; 1987.
[2] Deci E, Ryan R. The “what” and ‘why’ of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry. 2000;11:227-68.
[3] Tedeschi R, Calhoun L. Trauma and transformation: Growing in the aftermath of suffering. Thousand Oaks, California, USA: Sage Publications Inc; 1995.
[4] Martin L, Byrnes M, McGarry S, Rea S, Wood F. Posttraumatic growth after burn injury in adults: An integrative literature review. Burns. 2017;43:459-70.
Biography:
Lisa is a research fellow from the Burn Injury Research Unit at the University of Western Australia. She has a nursing background and is currently a PhD student undertaking a mixed method study that assesses positive psychological recovery after burn.