Citation

Hoogewerf CJ, van Baar ME, Middelkoop E, van Loey NE. Gen. Hosp. Psychiatry 2014; 36(3): 271-276.

Affiliation

Association of Dutch Burn Centres, Red Cross Hospital, Beverwijk, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2013.12.001

PMID

24417954

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the role of self-reported facial scar severity as a possible influencing factor on self-esteem and depressive symptoms in patients with facial burns. METHOD: A prospective multicentre cohort study with a 6 months follow-up was conducted including 132 patients with facial burns. Patients completed the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale, the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Structural Equation Modeling was used to assess the relations between depressive symptoms, self-esteem and scar severity. RESULTS: The model showed that patient-rated facial scar severity was not predictive for self-esteem and depressive symptoms six months post-burn. There was, however, a significant relationship between early depressive symptoms and both patient-rated facial scar severity and subsequent self-esteem. The variables in the model accounted for 37% of the variance in depressive symptoms six months post-burn and the model provided a moderately well-fitting representation of the data. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that self-esteem and depressive symptoms were not affected by self-reported facial scar severity but that earlier depressive symptoms were indicative for a more severe self-reported facial scar rating. Therefore, routine psychological screening during hospitalisation is recommended in order to identify patients at risk and to optimise their treatment.

Language: en