Cognitive distortions as trauma-specific irrational beliefs among burn patients
Journal article, 2019

Burn injuries are most certainly stressful events, particularly when permanent disfigurement is a result. This situation can lead to the onset of irrational beliefs which can in turn lead to long-term psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, shame, guilt, posttraumatic stress, etc. The objective of this study is to explore the irrational beliefs among burn patients and its correlates in an Iranian sample. This cross-sectional study included 329 patients who had experienced disfigurement, as result of burn injuries. In order to assess irrational beliefs, a Scale for Irrational Thoughts after Burning was used. To identify correlated variables with irrational beliefs, both bivariate and multivariate analysis methods were conducted. In multivariate linear regression, forward strategy was used for building the model. The results of bivariate analysis showed that the location of the burn on bodies (body parts generally exposed in social environment or parts culturally perceived as sensitive areas of body), marital status, urbanities, age group, geographical areas, etiology of burning, and intent of injury had significant relationships with irrational beliefs (P < .05). Using forward linear regression, gender, marital status, geographical areas, etiology of burning, body burn by location (body parts generally exposed in social environment or parts culturally perceived as sensitive areas of body), and intent of injury had significant correlation with irrational beliefs. The models predicted 15.5% (P < .001) of irrational beliefs. Considering to irrational beliefs and development of facilities for screening is necessary. Moreover, consultation with mental health experts after burn injuries is highly recommended.

Author

Zahra Zare

Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Homayoun Sadeghi-Bazargani

Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Diana Stark Ekman

University of Skövde

Fatemeh Ranjbar

Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Robert Ekman

Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Building Design

Mostafa Farahbakhsh

Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Hemmat Maghsoudi

Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Journal of burn care & research : official publication of the American Burn Association.

1559-047X (ISSN) 15590488 (eISSN)

Vol. 40 3 361-367

Subject Categories

Psychiatry

Applied Psychology

Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology

DOI

10.1093/jbcr/irz026

PubMed

31222273

More information

Latest update

10/29/2019