File(s) not publicly available
Insecure adult attachment style is associated with elevated psychological symptoms in early adjustment to severe burn: A cross-sectional study
journal contribution
posted on 2021-11-14, 23:09 authored by Rachael Holt, Rachel Kornhaber, Julia Kwiet, Vanessa Rogers, Joanne Shaw, Jeremy Law, Marie-Therese Proctor, John Vandervord, Jeffrey Streimer, Denis Visentin, Michelle ClearyMichelle Cleary, Loyola McLeanResearch 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
Volume
45Issue
6Start Page
1359End Page
1366Number of Pages
8eISSN
1879-1409ISSN
0305-4179Location
NetherlandsPublisher
ElsevierPublisher DOI
Language
engPeer Reviewed
- Yes
Open Access
- No
Acceptance Date
2019-03-03External Author Affiliations
The University of Sydney; Excelsia College, Sydney; University of TasmaniaEra Eligible
- Yes
Medium
Print-ElectronicJournal
BurnsUsage metrics
Keywords
Adult attachmentEarly adjustmentPsychosocialBurn injuryCross-sectional studyAdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAnxietyBody Surface AreaBurnsCross-Sectional StudiesDepressionEmotional AdjustmentFemaleHospitalizationHumansMaleMiddle AgedObject AttachmentRisk FactorsStress Disorders, Post-TraumaticYoung AdultPrimary Health CareMental Health