Long Range Emotional Sequelae of Burns: Effects on Children and Their Mothers

Extract: Twelve children ranging between 8 and 13 years of age who had been hospitalized for burns, their mothers, 12 control children, and 12 control mothers matched for age, sex, socioeconomic status, and the experience of hospitalization were administered a battery of psychologic tests 1.5–5 years after the burn accidents. This effort produced few differences between burned children and their matched control children. However, the mothers of burned children were found to be significantly more distressed than their matched controls on 10 of 28 study variables.

Speculation: It is hypothesized that either burn victims' mothers were disturbed prior to the accident and possibly contributed to it or that the emotional sequelae to burns are more extensive with parents (mothers) than with children. It is suggested that more medical and/or emotionally supportive care be considered for the parents of burn victims, with a particular emphasis on restoring appropriate self and role perceptions. Consideration should also be given to feelings of parental insufficiency and unconscious hostility toward the child.