Sexuality Following Burn Injuries

Abstract

Responses to the sexuality and body image subdomains of the Burn Specific Health Scale - Brief Version (BSHS-B) were analysed, to identify the incidence of sexuality and body image changes in burn survivors from hospital discharge - 12 months post injury. Data were collected through examination of BSHS-B questionnaires (BSHS-B), from burns patients at hospital discharge and one, three, six and twelve month time points after burn injury. The results demonstrate that burn injuries have a significant negative impact on sexuality and body image satisfaction for burn survivors. The results raise concerns regarding potential long term quality of life (QoL) issues for burn survivors in these domains. Sexuality and body image following burn injuries are important QoL domains that should be addressed during post injury rehabilitation. This preliminary study shows that further empirical research regarding changes to sexuality and body image in the burns population is required.

Sexuality following trauma injury: A literature review

“…Evidence from a western Australian burn unit sample suggests that burn injuries have a significant impact on sexuality and body image satisfaction and that these changes are potentially long standing. [9,10] Our preliminary data analysis of responses from the Burns Specific Health Scale-Brief suggests that over 20% of burn survivors ( n = 362) report a loss of sexual interest up to 12 months post-injury. [9] Body image dissatisfaction is high among burn survivors with over 40% indicating the perception that they are unattractive to others and 40% indicating that their scars bother them.…”

“…[9,10] Our preliminary data analysis of responses from the Burns Specific Health Scale-Brief suggests that over 20% of burn survivors ( n = 362) report a loss of sexual interest up to 12 months post-injury. [9] Body image dissatisfaction is high among burn survivors with over 40% indicating the perception that they are unattractive to others and 40% indicating that their scars bother them. [9] A significant finding was that the severity of the responses, as scored via a Likert scale, was much higher in females especially for the body image domains.…”

“…[9] Body image dissatisfaction is high among burn survivors with over 40% indicating the perception that they are unattractive to others and 40% indicating that their scars bother them. [9] A significant finding was that the severity of the responses, as scored via a Likert scale, was much higher in females especially for the body image domains. [9] We concluded that sexuality and body image may have a role in post-burn psychosocial adjustment and QoL that requires further research.…”

“…[9] A significant finding was that the severity of the responses, as scored via a Likert scale, was much higher in females especially for the body image domains. [9] We concluded that sexuality and body image may have a role in post-burn psychosocial adjustment and QoL that requires further research. [9]…”

“…[9] We concluded that sexuality and body image may have a role in post-burn psychosocial adjustment and QoL that requires further research. [9]…”