Factors associated with posttraumatic growth in patients with severe burns by treatment phase.
Sun-Mi Hwang, Eun Ju Lim
PMID 33072377WHAT IT FOUND
Severe burn patients in rehabilitation had higher depressive symptoms than those in acute care, and social support was associated with greater posttraumatic growth in both phases.
Key findings
01Depressive symptom scores differed significantly between the acute and rehabilitation phases.
02Posttraumatic growth was negatively associated with depressive symptoms and positively associated with social support in both phases.
03In regression, social support was associated with posttraumatic growth in the acute phase, and depressive symptoms and social support were associated with posttraumatic growth in the rehabilitation phase.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
This was a cross-sectional survey, so it cannot show that social support or lower depression caused posttraumatic growth. The study was done at one hospital, so the results may not apply to other settings. Patients who could not communicate or who had mental disabilities were excluded. The acute and rehabilitation groups were compared at different average times after injury, not followed over time.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that increasing social support or reducing depression will improve posttraumatic growth. The study measured patients at one point in time and showed association, not a treatment effect.