Impact of Treatment Satisfaction on Post-Traumatic Symptoms, Cognitive Functioning and Psychological Adjustment in Women Burn Survivors

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between satisfaction with treatment and post-traumatic stress symptoms, cognitive functioning and psychological adjustment problems. The cross-sectional research design was used in the study. In a sample of two hundred adult female burn survivors living in Pakistan, which examined the association between satisfaction with treatment and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSD), cognitive functioning, as well as psychological adjustment problems. A purposive sampling was used to select the study participants, who had incurred an unintentional burn injury 6 months to 2 years before. Sociodemographic form, Urdu-translated version of Abbreviated PTSD Checklist Civilian Version (PCL-C), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale and Adjustment Problem Scale were applied for data collection. The research was ethically approved and performed in different burn centers of Lahore, Gujrat, Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The variables based on treatment satisfaction (yes/no) were compared using an independent samples t-test. Cognitive functioning showed no significant difference between women who were satisfied (M = 14.77, SD = 5.19) and those who were not (M = 14.79, SD = 4.39) with treatment. Psychological Adjustment indicates a statistically significant difference. Compared to women who were satisfied (M = 100.60, SD = 14.63), those who were dissatisfied (M = 109.06, SD = 13.56) reported noticeably more psychological adjustment problems. Post-Traumatic Symptoms (t(198) = -2.60, p =.010) was another statistically significant difference. Compared to women who were satisfied (M = 22.07, SD = 4.46), those who were dissatisfied (M = 24.18, SD = 3.40) reported noticeably more PTSD symptoms. A statistically significant difference was also found. Women who were dissatisfied (M = 24.18, SD = 3.40) reported significantly higher PTSD symptoms than those who were satisfied (M = 22.07, SD = 4.46). The findings suggest that while satisfaction with treatment is not significantly associated with cognitive functioning, it is strongly linked to mental health outcomes. Dissatisfaction with treatment is associated with significantly greater psychological adjustment issues and more severe post-traumatic stress symptoms in women burn survivors. These results underscore the importance of quality and satisfying care in the recovery process for burn survivors.