Psychological Problems Reported by Young Adults Who Were Burned as Children

This study assessed long-term psychosocial sequelae of young adult pediatric burn survivors. Subjects were 101 young adults (43 females and 58 males) between the ages of 18 and 28 years who were at least 2 years (average, 14 years) postburn at least 30% TBSA (mean = 54 ± 20%). Educational status was 25% high school dropouts, 28% high school graduation only, 32% some college, and 5% completed college. Seventy-seven percent either worked or attended school; 28% had had a long-term partner. When assessed by Achenbach's Young Adult Self-Report (YASR) scale and compared with its published reference group, the males reported differences only in the somatic complaints, but the females endorsed significantly more externalizing and total problems, specifically withdrawn behaviors, somatic complaints, thought problems, aggressive behavior, and delinquent behavior. Despite these problems suffered by some female pediatric burn survivors, the overall outcome revealed that most pediatric burn survivors are making the transition into adulthood with minimal unexpected difficulty.