A survey of psychological need amongst adult burn-injured patients
Abstract
This study of 71 burn-injured adults was carried out to inform clinical psychological practice in a newly developed service for individuals affected by disfigurement. Self-completion questionnaires were administered to patients attending outpatient clinics and information was collated on a range of variables including time since injury, cause, location and perceived severity of injury. Questions were also asked about the level of psycho-social support received and needed during hospitalisation and post discharge and people were asked to indicate the type of help that they wanted. Results indicate no correlation between the amount of time since injury and the degree of emotional difficulty experienced. 56% reported current emotional problems and 38% of the sample felt that they would benefit from professional help. There was a significant correlation between individuals' perception of the severity of the injury and the degree of distress experienced (p < 0.05). The two most popular preferences for help was individual counselling followed by professionally led groups.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
People with visible disfigurement often encounter social difficulties including stigmatization, dealing with reactions of others and limitations in personal relationships.
“In addition, they often encounter social difficulties including stigmatization, dealing with reactions of others and limitations in personal relationships.”
From A Novel Psychological Group Intervention Targeting Appearance-Related Distress Among People With a Visible Disfigurement (Inside Out): A Case Study (2023) · cites this paper as Kleve & Robinson, 1999
Cites
Social support as a moderator of life stress
Cobb, S. (1976) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/00006842-197609000-00003 · Cited by 6,936 · see citing works
An Introduction to Social Psychology
McDougall, W. (2015) · Psychology Press eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781315724256 · Cited by 1,042 · see citing works
Psychological effects of severe burn injuries.
Patterson, D. R., Everett, J. J., Bombardier, C. H., Questad, K. A., Lee, V. K., & Marvin, J. A. (1993) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.113.2.362 · Cited by 326 · see citing works
Predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder after burn injury
Perry, S. W., Difede, J., Musngi, G., FRANCES, A. J., & Jacobsberg, L. B. (1992) · American Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1176/ajp.149.7.931 · Cited by 268 · see citing works
An evaluation of the impact of social interaction skills training for facially disfigured people
Robinson, E., Ramsey, N., & Partridge, J. (1996) · British Journal of Plastic Surgery · doi:10.1016/s0007-1226(96)90156-3 · Cited by 246 · see citing works
Self-citationBLADES, B. C., MELLIS, N., & Munster, A. M. (1982) · The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care · doi:10.1097/00005373-198210000-00012 · Cited by 176 · see citing works
NEUROPSYCHIATRIC COMPLICATIONS IN VICTIMS OF BOSTON'S COCOANUT GROVE DISASTER
Adler, A. (1943) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.1943.02840520014004 · Cited by 169 · see citing works
Posttraumatic adaptation and distress among adult burn survivors
Roca, R. P., Spence, R. J., & Munster, A. M. (1992) · American Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1176/ajp.149.9.1234 · Cited by 122 · see citing works
Psychosocial adjustment of burn survivors
BROWNE, G. B., Byrne, C., Brown, B., Pennock, M., Streiner, D. L., Roberts, R., Eyles, P., Truscott, D. E., & Dabbs, R. (1985) · Burns · doi:10.1016/0305-4179(85)90180-9 · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Psychological consequences of burn injury
Williams, E. E., & Griffiths, T. A. (1991) · Burns · doi:10.1016/0305-4179(91)90075-r · Cited by 110 · see citing works
Introduction to Social Psychology
Darden, D. K., & Smith, H. W. (1988) · Teaching Sociology · doi:10.2307/1318179 · Cited by 94 · see citing works
A long-term psychosocial follow-up study of burned adults
Malt, U. F., & Ugland, O. M. (1989) · Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica · doi:10.1111/j.1600-0447.1989.tb05259.x · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Social support and post-burn adjustment.
Tn, D., Ml, B., Tholen, D. J., Mh, J., & Feller, I. (1981) · PubMed · Cited by 81 · see citing works
Adjustment to visible stigma: The case of the severely burned
Knudson-Cooper, M. S. (1981) · Social Science & Medicine Part B Medical Anthropology · doi:10.1016/0160-7987(81)90007-7 · Cited by 77 · see citing works
Self-esteem of severely burned patients.
Ml, B., Feller, I., Tholen, D. J., Tn, D., & Mh, J. (1980) · PubMed · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Return to employment after burn
Tanttula, K., Vuola, J., & Asko-Seljavaara, S. L. (1997) · Burns · doi:10.1016/s0305-4179(97)89876-2 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
A psychological follow-up study of adult patients discharged from a British burn unit
Wallace, L. M., & Lees, J. (1988) · Burns · doi:10.1016/s0305-4179(98)90040-7 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Blumenfield, M., & Reddish, P. (1987) · General Hospital Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/0163-8343(87)90026-0 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Self-esteem of severely burned patients
Worthen, E. F. (1981) · Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery · doi:10.1097/00006534-198106000-00082 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Adult Psychosocial Adjustment Following Childhood Injury: The Effect of Disfigurement
Love, B., Byrne, C., Roberts, J., Browne, G. B., & Brown, B. (1987) · Journal of Burn Care & Rehabilitation · doi:10.1097/00004630-198707000-00008 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
A one-year psychological follow-up of the most severely burned victims of the Bradford fire
Khoosal, D., Broad, J. A., Smith, R. J., & Settle, J. (1987) · Burns · doi:10.1016/0305-4179(87)90136-7 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Post-traumatic adaptation and distress among adult burn survivors
Roca, R. P., Spence, R. J., Munster, A. M., & Turpin, I. M. (1993) · Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery · doi:10.1097/00006534-199308000-00074 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Body image and disfigurement: issues and interventions
Rumsey, N., & Harcourt, D. (2004) · Body Image · doi:10.1016/s1740-1445(03)00005-6 · Cited by 561 · see citing works
Thombs, B., Notes, L., Lawrence, J. W., Magyar-Russell, G., Bresnick, M. G., & Fauerbach, J. (2008) · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2007.09.003 · Cited by 172 · see citing works
Bessell, A., & Moss, T. (2007) · Body Image · doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2007.04.005 · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Predictors of health status and health-related quality of life 12 months after severe burn
Wasiak, J., Lee, S. J., Paul, E. M., Mahar, P. D., Pfitzer, B., Spinks, A. B., Cleland, H. J., & Gabbe, B. J. (2014) · Burns · doi:10.1016/j.burns.2014.01.021 · Cited by 102 · see citing works
Kleve, L., Rumsey, N., Wyn‐Williams, M., & White, P. (2002) · Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice · doi:10.1046/j.1365-2753.2002.00348.x · Cited by 94 · see citing works
Self-citationPsychological adjustments made by postburn injury patients: an integrative literature review
Klinge, K., Chamberlain, D. J., Redden, M., & King, L. (2009) · Journal of Advanced Nursing · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2009.05138.x · Cited by 72 · see citing works
Gender differences in resilience and psychological distress of patients with burns
Masood, A., Masud, Y., & Mazahir, S. (2016) · Burns · doi:10.1016/j.burns.2015.10.006 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
Prevalence of Major Psychiatric Illness in Young Adults Who Were Burned as Children
Meyer, W. J., Blakeney, P., THOMAS, C. R., Russell, W., Robert, R. S., & Holzer, C. E. (2007) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/psy.0b013e3180600a2e · Cited by 66 · see citing works
Grieve, B., Shapiro, G. D., Wibbenmeyer, L. A., Acton, A., Lee, A. F., Marino, M., Jette, A. M., Schneider, J. C., Kazis, L. E., Ryan, C. M., et al. (2017) · Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation · doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2017.10.007 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Shepherd, L., Reynolds, D. P., Turner, A., O’Boyle, C. P., & Thompson, A. R. (2019) · Burns · doi:10.1016/j.burns.2018.11.015 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
Psychosocial interventions for adults with visible differences: a systematic review
Norman, A., & Moss, T. P. (2015) · PeerJ · doi:10.7717/peerj.870 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Mannan, A., Ghani, S., Clarke, A. M., White, P., Salmanta, S., & Butler, P. E. M. (2006) · Burns · doi:10.1016/j.burns.2005.08.027 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Macleod, R., Shepherd, L., & Thompson, A. (2016) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/hea0000391 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Zucchelli, F., White, P., & Williamson, H. (2020) · Body Image · doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2019.12.002 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
‘Outlook’: A Psychological Service for Children with a Different Appearance
Maddern, L., Cadogan, J., & Emerson, M. P. (2006) · Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry · doi:10.1177/1359104506064987 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
A survey of the need for psychological input in a follow-up service for adult burn-injured patients
Wisely, J. A., & Tarrier, N. (2001) · Burns · doi:10.1016/s0305-4179(01)00058-4 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Zucchelli, F., Donnelly, O., Williamson, H., & Hooper, N. (2018) · Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy · doi:10.1891/0889-8391.32.3.171 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
“Many report staring, name-calling, and unsolicited questioning from strangers (Kleve & Robinson, 1999).”
BackgroundWikehult, B., Willebrand, M., Kildal, M., Lannerstam, K., Fugl‐Meyer, A. R., Ekselius, L., & Gerdin, B. (2005) · Disability and Rehabilitation · doi:10.1080/09638280500030753 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Face transplantation: psychological assessment and preparation for surgery
Clarke, A., & Butler, P. (2004) · Psychology, Health & Medicine · doi:10.1080/13548500410001721882 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Bessell, A., Clarke, A. M., Harcourt, D. M., Moss, T., & Rumsey, N. (2010) · Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy · doi:10.1017/s1352465810000305 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Furness, P. J., Garrud, P., Faulder, A., & Swift, J. A. (2006) · Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1177/1359105306063318 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Psychological impact of burns on children treated in a severe burns unit
Pardo, G. D., García, I. M., Marrero, F. D. R. M., & Cía, T. G. (2008) · Burns · doi:10.1016/j.burns.2008.01.016 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Guest, E., Griffiths, C., & Harcourt, D. M. (2018) · Scars Burns & Healing · doi:10.1177/2059513118764881 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Looking in the mirror for the first time after facial burns: A retrospective mixed methods study
Shepherd, L., Tattersall, H., & Buchanan, H. (2014) · Burns · doi:10.1016/j.burns.2014.03.011 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
The experience of acute burns of the hand – patients perspectives
Dunpath, T., Chetty, V., & van der Reyden, D. (2014) · Disability and Rehabilitation · doi:10.3109/09638288.2014.948129 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Hypnotizability and trauma symptoms after burn injury
Duhamel, K. N., Difede, J., Foley, F., & Greenleaf, M. (2002) · International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis · doi:10.1080/00207140208410089 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Riobueno-Naylor, A., Williamson, H., Canenguez, K., Kogosov, A., Drexler, A., Sadeq, F., Depamphilis, M. A., Holcomb, J. M., Stoddard, F. J., Lydon, M., et al. (2020) · Journal of Burn Care & Research · doi:10.1093/jbcr/iraa108 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
The role of the clinical psychologist within a cleft service
Hotton, M., Cropper, J., Rundle, J., & Crawford, R. (2023) · British Dental Journal · doi:10.1038/s41415-023-5952-0 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Shepherd, L., & Begum, R. A. (2014) · Burns · doi:10.1016/j.burns.2014.02.017 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Trauma—With Special Reference to Burn Injury
Wisely, J. A., & Gaskell, S. (2012) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199580521.013.0028 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Burn Survivor Quality of Life and Barriers to Support Program Participation
Baldwin, S., Yuan, H., Liao, J., Grieve, B., Heard, J., & Wibbenmeyer, L. A. (2018) · Journal of Burn Care & Research · doi:10.1093/jbcr/irx058 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Siemann, I., Custers, J., van den Heuvel-Djulic, S., Pouwels, S., Kwakkenbos, L., & Spillekom-van Koulil, S. (2023) · Cognitive and Behavioral Practice · doi:10.1016/j.cbpra.2022.03.005 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Zucchelli, F., Donnelly, O., Sharratt, N., Hooper, N., & Williamson, H. (2021) · European Journal of Counselling Psychology · doi:10.46853/001c.22012 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
The psychosocial impact on patients with altered body image from burns
McRobert, J. (2012) · British Journal of Community Nursing · doi:10.12968/bjcn.2012.17.sup12.s27 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Roads to recovery: Adult burn survivors ‘lived experience' of rehabilitation
Kornhaber, R. A. (2013) · Adelaide Research & Scholarship (AR&S) (University of Adelaide) · doi:10.13140/rg.2.1.3098.9684 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Goans, C., Meltzer, K. J., Martin, B., & Roaten, K. (2022) · European Burn Journal · doi:10.3390/ebj3020026 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Concept of body image and its mental health implications
Choudhary, P., Upadhyay, S., & Kar, S. K. (2022) · Odisha Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.4103/ojp.ojp_3_22 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Psychological Issues in Head and Neck Cancer
Stout, R. A., Beckman, N. J., Shelby, S. R., & Labott, S. M. (2013) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-94-007-5827-8_25 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Calcini, G. (2025) · The Linacre Quarterly · doi:10.1177/00243639251334426 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Changing Provision in Healthcare Settings in the United Kingdom
Cadogan, J. (2012) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199580521.013.0035 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Evaluation of effectiveness of a social reintegration program following a burn injury
Kilpatrick, E. P., Fletchall, S., & Hickerson, W. L. (2021) · Burns Open · doi:10.1016/j.burnso.2021.02.001 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Use of Healthcare, Perceived Health and Patient Satisfaction in Patients with Burns
Wikehult, B. (2008) · KTH Publication Database DiVA (KTH Royal Institute of Technology) · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Do looks matter? Supporting patients with eye conditions that affect their appearance
Borwick, G., & Salma, K. (2012) · International Journal of Ophthalmic Practice · doi:10.12968/ijop.2012.3.2.56 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Living Well with a Skin Condition: What it Takes
Spalding, H., Eastwood, W., Saul, K., & Bradbrooke, S. (2014) · doi:10.1002/9781118560648.ch12
Hernandez, C. L. (2012) · OakTrust (Texas A&M University Libraries)
Psychological Support and Intervention in Facial Injuries
Clarke, A. M. (2012) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-1-4377-2420-2.00029-5
Burn injuries: psychological and social aspects
Phillips, C. (2001) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/cbo9780511543579.130
Clarke, A. M., & Alexander, L. (2005) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-84-8174-836-9.50029-8
De, R. R., Ganguly, A., Abhishek, K., Apurva, Singh, P., & Singh, A. (2025) · Journal of Orthopaedic Diseases and Traumatology · doi:10.4103/jodp.jodp_16_26
- Authors
- Kleve, L., & Robinson, E.
- Affiliations
- Frenchay Hospital (GB)
- University of the West of England (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Kleve, L
- ORCID
- Kleve, L
- Venue
- Burns
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 1999-11
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 575-579
- ISSN
- 0305-4179 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2026507114
- Cited by
- 50
- References
- 22
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 1.09
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Burns (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Burn Injury Management and Outcomes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatologic Treatments and Research
- Keywords
- burns, psychological needs, emotional distress, disfigurement, psychosocial support, help-seeking preferences, counseling, group therapy
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Burns, Counseling, Data Collection, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Prognosis, Psychotherapy, Sampling Studies, Social Support, Stress, Psychological, Injury Severity Score
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review