Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Aim
To investigate the long-term psychological reactions and resilient process of the young survivors after a large-scale burn disaster of the Formosa Color Dust Explosion in Taiwan.Design
Longitudinal study with follow-up interviews using standardized questionnaire during November 2015-June 2018.Methods
The burn survivors received structured assessment in the four-wave interviews including the five-item Brief Symptom Rating Scale, nine-item Concise Mental Health Checklist, and two-item Patient Health Questionnaire for depressive symptoms and suicide risk assessment. Post-traumatic psychological symptoms were assessed through the four-item Startle, Physiological Arousal, Anger, and Numbness Scale, and six-item Impact of Event Scale.Findings
The response rates were 65.1%, 74.2%, 76.9%, and 78.5% across the four-wave interviews among 484 burn survivors. The participants were mean-aged 23.1 years with just over half having 40% or more burn wounds in total body surface area. The respondents at each wave were similar in gender, age, and per cent of total body surface area burned. In the first 2 years of recovery, the respondents showed resilience in coping with stress of trauma under family and social support. While there was a decreasing trend of psychological symptoms over the first 2 years, hypnotic use and alcohol consumption remained at about 10% in the final interview, which were accompanied by psychological symptom recurrence.Conclusion
Young burn survivors recovered both psychologically and physically under supportive care and personal resilience in 2 years after the burn event, yet post-traumatic mental distress and coping efforts after 2 years during community reintegration should be detected and managed. Early prevention and detection of mental health deterioration is needed even after 2 years of burn disasters.Impact
The study demonstrated post-burn longitudinal changes on psychological reactions. Nursing staffs may help young burn survivors identify mental distress and stress management needs in the long-term psychological adaptation process.
SUBMITTER: Wu CY
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6973290 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Journal of advanced nursing 20191126 2
<h4>Aim</h4>To investigate the long-term psychological reactions and resilient process of the young survivors after a large-scale burn disaster of the Formosa Color Dust Explosion in Taiwan.<h4>Design</h4>Longitudinal study with follow-up interviews using standardized questionnaire during November 2015-June 2018.<h4>Methods</h4>The burn survivors received structured assessment in the four-wave interviews including the five-item Brief Symptom Rating Scale, nine-item Concise Mental Health Checklis ...[more]