Trauma-related distress and mood disorders in the early stage of an acute traumatic hand injury

• The aim of the study was to estimate the incidence of trauma-related distress and mood disorders in the early stages after acute traumatic hand injuries and identify characteristics associated with these reactions. Data were obtained from 112 patients by means of mailed questionnaires and medical records. Nearly half of the patients had increased levels of intrusive and avoidance symptoms, indicating trauma-related distress. One-third showed signs of a mood disorder. Mood disorders were associated with the need for help with activities of daily living, pain and avoidance symptoms. The study showed that emotional problems in the early stages after injury are related to the consequences of both the injury and the traumatic experience. Negative reactions to the sight of the hand were associated with both trauma-related distress and mood disorders, suggesting that observation of the reactions to the sight of the hand could help to identify patients in need of psychological support.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Activities of Daily Living/psychology

Acute Disease

Adult

Aged

Amputation; Traumatic/psychology/surgery

Anxiety/*diagnosis/psychology

Avoidance Learning

Defense Mechanisms

Depression/*diagnosis/psychology

Female

Hand Injuries/*psychology/surgery

Humans

Logistic Models

Male

Middle Aged

Pain/psychology

Psychiatric Status Rating Scales

Questionnaires

Stress Disorders; Post-Traumatic/*diagnosis/psychology

Nursing

Omvårdnad

Caring sciences

Vårdvetenskap

Caring Sciences w. Medical Focus

Omvårdnadsforskning med medicinsk inriktning

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)