The purpose of this cross-sectional analysis of the National Violence Against Women Survey was to characterize current symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among 185 men and 369 women survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). In this subsample, 24% of women and 20% of men had current moderate-to-severe PTSD symptoms. PTSD scores were higher for women than men. Protective factors that appear to increase resiliency of survivors were higher education and income, being currently married, and reporting that IPV had stopped. Higher physical or psychological IPV scores, current depressive symptoms, and the survivor having left the relationship at least once were associated with risk of moderate-to-severe symptoms of PTSD. Protective factors may be used to boost resiliency of IPV survivors and reduce PTSD symptoms.

This study examined the efficacy of an intensive, short-term social skills training program in improving the psychosocial adjustment of burned adolescents. Sixty-four adolescents who had suffered a burn injury 2 years previously or longer and who were identified as having psychosocial difficulties (elevated behavioral problems and/or diminished competence) were assigned randomly to receive the treatment intervention or to serve as controls (32 in each group). The intervention was a social skills training curriculum provided in a small group residential format. Didactic and experiential techniques were used in a schedule of activities during a 4-day period. One year after the training program, the group who had received the treatment showed significantly more improvement than did the control group. The program appears to offer advantages to a sizeable group of pediatric burn survivors and indicates the need for further study of interventions to enhance psychosocial competence in the development of pediatric burn survivors.

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This prospective, longitudinal study examined the influence of baseline physical and psychological burden on serial assessments of health-related quality of life among adults with major burns from three regional burn centers (n = 162). Physical burden groups were defined by % TBSA burned: <10%, 10% to 30%, or >30%. Psychological burden groups were defined by in-hospital distress using the Brief Symptom Inventory Global Severity Index T-score with scores of < 63 or > or = 63. Analyses compared groups across level of burden and with published normative data. Assessments reflected health and function (Short Form 36) during the month before burn, at discharge, and at 6 and 12 months after burn. Physical functioning was significantly more impaired and the rate of physical recovery slower among those with either large physical burden or large psychological burden. Notably, psychosocial functioning also was more impaired and the rate of psychosocial recovery slower among those with greater psychological burden. These results suggest that, in addition to aggressive wound closure, interventions that reduce in-hospital distress may accelerate both physical and psychosocial recovery.