Personality, coping, chronic stress, social support and PTSD symptoms among adult burn survivors: a path analysis

J Burn Care Rehabil. 2003 Jan-Feb;24(1):63-72; discussion 62. doi: 10.1097/00004630-200301000-00016.

Abstract

This paper presents a longitudinal study of the relationship between personality, coping, chronic stress, social support and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A hypothesized model of the relationship between the predictor variables and PTSD symptoms was proposed. Path analyses was completed to test the model. One hundred fifty-eight adult burn survivors completed questionnaires measuring each of the variables in the hospital. Of those 124 and 94 completed the PTSD measure at 1 month and 6 months postdischarge, respectively. The hypothesized model fit the data at each time point with slight variations. The model accounted for 46 and 29% of the variance of PTSD symptoms at hospitalization and 1 month. Neuroticism was the most important personality dimension in predicting PTSD. Avoidant Coping and Social Support mediated a high percentage of the relationship between Neuroticism and PTSD. The best predictor of PTSD symptoms at 1 and 6 months was PTSD symptoms at hospitalization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adult
  • Burns / complications*
  • Burns / mortality
  • Burns / psychology*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Critical Pathways*
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Psychological*
  • Personality*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Social Support*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / etiology*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / mortality
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology*
  • Stress, Psychological / etiology*
  • Stress, Psychological / mortality
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology*
  • Survival Rate
  • Time Factors