Coping Strategies of Eight Patients With Significant Burn Injury

The aim of this study was to describe the differences in coping strategies that affected psychological and physical rehabilitation in Chinese burn patients. Eight burn survivors with TBSA more than 30% or full-thickness area more than 10% had been interviewed. In depth, information on the strategies used to address physiological and psychological damage was collected on these patients. We found that optimistic personality, positive coping styles, and social support played very important roles. Coping techniques aimed at passing time were frequently used, whereas religious coping was seldom used. The availability of a mentor was beneficial to the patients. Therefore, instruction on coping techniques such as searching for a mentor and promoting recreation should be approached by health professionals in burn care units and taught to burn patients. (J Burn Care Res 2009;30:889-893)