# The Psychosocial Dimension of Electrical Burns Related to Work Accidents—A Phenomenological Study on the Experiences of Patients Fighting for Their Lives in Intensive Care in Turkey

## TL;DR

This study explores the psychosocial challenges faced by electrical burn survivors in Turkey, highlighting emotional distress and the need for psychological support.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the lived experiences and psychosocial difficulties of electrical burn survivors through a phenomenological approach.

## Key findings

- Survivors experienced intense emotions like depression, helplessness, and hopelessness.
- Social appearance anxiety and impaired body image were major psychosocial challenges.
- Psychological support was crucial for coping with long-term emotional and social consequences.

## Abstract

This phenomenological study explored the psychosocial difficulties experienced by individuals who survived electrical burn injuries.Participants reported intense negative emotions, including depression, helplessness, and hopelessness, following the injury.Social appearance anxiety and impaired body image were among the most significant psychosocial challenges.Survivors described difficulties in coping during both the acute hospital phase and the post-treatment adaptation process.Many participants emphasized the need for psychological support and reported challenges in managing long-term emotional and social consequences.

This phenomenological study explored the psychosocial difficulties experienced by individuals who survived electrical burn injuries.

Participants reported intense negative emotions, including depression, helplessness, and hopelessness, following the injury.

Social appearance anxiety and impaired body image were among the most significant psychosocial challenges.

Survivors described difficulties in coping during both the acute hospital phase and the post-treatment adaptation process.

Many participants emphasized the need for psychological support and reported challenges in managing long-term emotional and social consequences.

What are the main findings?
According to the results of the research, it is understood that individuals experienced negative emotions such as depression, helplessness and hopelessness as a result of electrical burns and could not cope with the psychosocial difficulties experienced and received psychological support. It was determined that social appearance anxiety due to deterioration in body image was very important in individuals.

According to the results of the research, it is understood that individuals experienced negative emotions such as depression, helplessness and hopelessness as a result of electrical burns and could not cope with the psychosocial difficulties experienced and received psychological support. It was determined that social appearance anxiety due to deterioration in body image was very important in individuals.

What are the implications of the main findings?
This study may contribute to the identification of psychosocial difficulties experienced by individuals who have experienced electrical burns.

This study may contribute to the identification of psychosocial difficulties experienced by individuals who have experienced electrical burns.

Background: Electrical injuries occur when an electric current comes into contact with or passes through the body. Electrical injuries can result from contact with faulty electrical appliances and machinery or from contact with open household wiring or electrical power lines. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychosocial difficulties experienced by individuals who suffered electrical burns due to work accidents, using a phenomenological approach. Study Design: This phenomenological study was conducted with semi-structured in-depth interviews with 15 electrical burn survivors living in different regions of Turkey via the WhatsApp mobile application. The snowball sampling method was used to reach the sample group. Interviews continued until data saturation was achieved. All interviews were audio recorded and then transcribed. The data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological analysis method. The study was conducted and reported according to the COREQ checklist. Results: In the analysis of the data, two categories and five themes were identified: the effects of electrical burn at the time of occurrence and during the hospital process (psychological, social and physical), and adaptation to life after electrical burn treatment (emotions experienced, difficulties experienced and coping). Conclusions: This study revealed the life experiences, psychosocial difficulties and coping experiences of individuals with electrical burns. According to the results of the research, it is understood that individuals experienced negative emotions such as depression, helplessness and hopelessness as a result of electrical burns, could not cope with the psychosocial difficulties experienced and received psychological support. It was determined that social appearance anxiety due to deterioration in body image was very important in individuals.