Long-term psychosocial adaptation of children who survive burns involving 80% or greater total body surface area

Objective: To examine the psychosocial adjustment of survivors of massive pediatric burn injuries, the change in adjustment across time, and the impact on parents. Background: Patients/parents were assessed at regular intervals postburn using standardized tests of adjustment. Patients who could not be included in standardized longitudinal assessments were administered questionnaires by mail/telephone. Methods: The Child Behavior Checklist, the Teacher Report Form, the Youth Self Report Form, and the Parenting Stress Index were utilized to assess adjustment. Results: On all objective measures, the group of survivors and their parents were within normal limits. Adjustment neither improved nor deteriorated over time. Conclusion: Children who survive massive burn injuries can achieve positive psychosocial adaptation.