Psychosocial recovery and reintegration of patients with burn injuries

Burn survivors may deal with diverse psychosocial issues in the recovery from a major burn injury. Common concerns include adapting to physical limitations and permanent changes; dealing with grief and loss; and experiencing traumatic stress, anxiety, pain, sleep disturbance, depression, body image concerns, and other adjustment issues. Some burn survivors may experience long-term psychosocial difficulties. This chapter provides an overview of psychosocial issues that burn survivors and their families may experience during the phases of the recovery. There is also a review of important psychosocial constructs that can affect recovery such as assisting with grief and loss; cultural sensitivity; psychological distress; acute and post-trauma distress; resilience and recovery; body image concerns, stigmatization, and social integration; social belongingness; long-term quality of life; and interventions beyond acute care.