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Insecure adult attachment style is associated with elevated psychological symptoms in early adjustment to severe burn: a cross-sectional study

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 04:02 authored by Holt, R, Rachel KornhaberRachel Kornhaber, Kwiet, J, Rogers, V, Shaw, J, Law, J, Proctor, M-T, Vandervord, J, Streimer, J, Denis VisentinDenis Visentin, Cleary, M, McLean, L
Research into recovery and adjustment after burn injury has indicated a link between psychopathological symptoms including traumatic stress, distress, depression and anxiety, and worse psychosocial and physical outcomes. The severity of psychological symptoms does not always correlate with that of the burn injury, and symptoms can be ongoing in certain patients for extensive periods, leading to a need for early screening in burns patients for psychological vulnerabilities. One potential factor influencing recovery from the psychological impact of burn injury is adult attachment style, specifically secure and insecure attachment, as this describes how an individual organizes their stress regulation. This cross-sectional study measured: (a) attachment style (via the Relationship Questionnaire [RQ]): (b) negative psychological symptoms (via the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale [DASS]); and, (c) post-traumatic symptoms (via the Davidson Trauma Scale [DTS]) in a cohort of burns patients (n = 104, 51 analysed) in a severe burns unit in Australia during the acute phase of their recovery. Secure attachment style was inversely related to psychopathological symptoms. Secure participants scored significantly lower scores on the DASS (M = 17.63, SD = 17.07) compared to self-rated insecure participants [(M = 42.38, SD = 34.69), p < .01] and on the DTS (M = 14.22, SD = 15.42) compared to insecure participants [(M = 40.54, SD = 35.72), p < .01]. Similar results were found in analyses controlling for covariates of gender, age and burn severity as potential confounders. This research suggests attachment style may play an important role in psychosocial recovery from severe burn injury.

History

Publication title

Burns

Volume

45

Issue

6

Pagination

1359-1366

ISSN

0305-4179

Department/School

School of Nursing

Publisher

Elsevier Sci Ltd

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Rights statement

© 2019 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Mental health

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