Recurring Themes of Network Support Exhibited by Adult Burn Survivors: A Qualitative Investigation

Authors

  • Thereasa E. Abrams
  • Jennifer C. Becker
  • Dhitinut Ratnapradipa
  • Amanda J. Ross
  • Michael W. Neumeister

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47779/ajhs.2016.131

Keywords:

burns, social networks, community characteristics

Abstract

This heuristic phenomenological study explored how eight burn-surviving adults living in the Midwestern U.S. experienced their social networks following discharge from a regional burn center. Participants were interviewed about their seven domains of post-burn health. The mean age of sample at the time of burns was 42.38 with burn injuries impacting >20% of total body surface area (TBSA). Data analysis identified common themes reflecting structural characteristics of social networks including reciprocity, intensity/strength, complexity, homogeneity, geographic dispersion and formality. We conclude that network characteristics differed in availability based on population size and urban vs. rural localities of participants’ home communities.

Author Biographies

Thereasa E. Abrams

Thereasa E. Abrams, Ph.D., LCSW, Research Assistant Professor, Institute for Plastic Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, 747 N. Rutledge St., 3rd Floor, P.O. Box 19653, Springfield, IL 62794-9653, Phone: 217-545-8129, Fax: 217-545-2588

Jennifer C. Becker

Jennifer C. Becker, M.D./M.P.H., Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Dhitinut Ratnapradipa

Dhitinut Ratnapradipa, Ph.D., Professor of Public Health, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Amanda J. Ross

Amanda J. Ross, M.D., Institute for Plastic Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

Michael W. Neumeister

Michael W. Neumeister, M.D., FRCSC, FACS, Professor & Chair - Department of Surgery, Institute for Plastic Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

Published

2020-11-12

How to Cite

Abrams, T., Becker, J., Ratnapradipa, D., Ross, A., & Neumeister, M. (2020). Recurring Themes of Network Support Exhibited by Adult Burn Survivors: A Qualitative Investigation . American Journal of Health Studies, 31(1). https://doi.org/10.47779/ajhs.2016.131

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