Frequency and correlates of depression symptoms among long-term adult burn survivors

Objective: To determine the frequency and correlates of symptoms of depression experienced by long-term burn survivors. Design: An exploratory study of a cross-sectional, self-selected sample. Participants: 311 burn survivors who were at least 3 years postburn (M = 20, SD = 15). Main Outcome Measure: The Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire, which is a self-report measure of symptoms of depression. Results: Depending on the cutoff score used, 20%-30% of the sample reported clinically significant symptoms of depression. A hierarchical multiple regression model accounted for 59% of the variance in symptoms of depression. Variables were entered in 3 blocks - burn characteristics, demographic characteristics, and psychosocial characteristics. Psychosocial characteristics such as social support and social comfort accounted for a majority of the variance.