Journal List > J Korean Acad Nurs > v.49(3) > 1129518

Kil and Lee: A Qualitative Study on Interpersonal Relationships of Patients with Facial Burn Injuries: Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to explore the experience of patients with facial burn injuries regarding their interpersonal relationships.

Methods

The phenomenological research method was used. Participants of the study consisted of five males and three females. Data were collected through individual in-depth interviews from November, 2014 to February, 2015 and analyzed using Colaizzi's method.

Results

Five theme clusters were extracted that described patients’ experiences. They are “being a lonely foreigner,” “closing my mind toward the world,” “hiding hurt feelings,” “companion of my face,” and “communicating with the world”.

Conclusion

The results of this study provide a deep understanding and insight into the experience of interpersonal relationships among facial burn patients. The development of a comprehensive program including physical, psychological, and social aspects is recommended to address the problems facial burn patients encounter in interpersonal relationships and to facilitate interaction.

References

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Table 1.
Characteristics of the Participants
No. Gender Age (yr) Duration of injuries (months) Marital status Cause TBSA (%) D Depth (degree) Area
1 M 41 68 Unmarried FB 67 3 Face, eye, forehead, chin, ear, neck
2 M 46 32 Married FB 60 3 Forehead, chin, neck
3 M 44 8 Married ChB 13 3 Chin, ear, head, neck
4 M 45 48 Married EB 30 3 Forehead, eye, nose, lip, ear, neck
5 M 38 14 Married FB 35 3 Head, forehead, ear, neck
6 F 35 7 Unmarried FB 45 2~3 Forehead, chin, neck
7 F 23 48 Unmarried CB 1 3 Chin
8 F 44 91 Divorced FB 86 2~3 Whole face (forehead, eye, eyebrow, nose, chin. nose), neck

CB=Contact burn; ChB=Chemical burn; EB=Electrical burn; FB=Flame burn; TBSA=Total body surface area.

Table 2.
Theme Clusters and Themes on Interpersonal Relationship of Patients with Facial Burn Injuries
Theme clusters Themes
Being a lonely foreigner Being a spectacle of the world
Being considered a disgusting
presence
Hurt by excessive consideration
and sympathy
Closing my mind toward the world Hesitating to approach
Hide in safe place
Hiding hurt feelings Showing the guts of a sick man
Hiding the mind with hypocrisy
and overaction
Keeping a proper distance
Companion of my face A family who is always on my side
Attaining the second family
Communicating with the world Showing the changed me
Expressing one's true heart
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