In:
Journal of Burn Care & Research, Oxford University Press (OUP), Vol. 41, No. Supplement_1 ( 2020-03-03), p. S19-S20
Abstract:
Feeling a part of community and participating in social life are important aspects of overall quality of life. Burn survivors consider community reintegration one of the most important issues affecting their recovery. Integration, including social integration, has been studied in this population, but longitudinal analyses to examine factors associated with successful integration are lacking. The current study aims to assess variables associated with social integration during the first two years post-burn. Methods Adult (18+ years) burn survivors enrolled in the Burn Model System national longitudinal database responded to questionnaires at hospital discharge and 6-, 12-, and 24-months postburn. Social integration was assessed at all follow-up timepoints using the Community Integration Questionnaire Social Integration Component Scale, which has a possible range of scores from 0 (no community integration) to 12 (excellent community integration). To examine variables associated with social integration over time, linear mixed effect models utilizing generalized least squares with maximum likelihood and robust standard errors were used. Independent variables in the model included age, sex, % total body surface area (TBSA) burned, race/ethnicity, living status at time of injury, facial burn, history of psychiatric treatment preburn, employment at follow-up assessment, and SF-12 or VR-12 mental health component scores at the time of each follow-up assessment. Results Data from 1,848 adult burn survivors were included in the analyses. Average age of the survivors was 42.9 years, 74.0% were male, 77.7% were white, 47.0% were married or living common-law with a partner, and mean total body surface area burned was 18.2%. Factors associated with better social integration over time included younger age, female sex, lower TBSA ( & lt; 40%) burn size, white/non-Hispanic race, no preburn psychiatric treatment, postburn employment, and better mental health. Time was not a significant predictor, indicating that social integration scores remain relatively stable over the 24-month follow-up period. Conclusions We identified several factors that contribute to greater social integration including age, gender, burn size, race/ethnicity, employment, and mental health, with the association between age, gender, and employment status and community integration a novel finding in this population. Applicability of Research to Practice This study suggests that while most factors associated with social integration are not modifiable, interventions aimed at improving mental health and helping burn survivors return to work could also improve self-reported social integration.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1559-047X
,
1559-0488
DOI:
10.1093/jbcr/iraa024.029
Language:
English
Publisher:
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Publication Date:
2020
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2071028-8
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