Body Image and its Relationship to Psychological and Social Adaptation Among Burn Victims in Riyadh

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between body image and psychosocial adjustment in a group of burn victims in Riyadh. The research sample included 457 individuals who had sustained burns of varying degrees (second and third degrees). Al-Noubi (2010) developed a body image scale for individuals with physical disabilities, while El-Deeb (1988) created a personal and social compatibility scale, ensuring the tools' psychometric effectiveness. The study findings revealed that average values of the body image scale and psychosocial adaptation scale dimensions were observed among women who had experienced burns. The correlation coefficients between performance on the scale of body image and performance on the scale of psychosocial adaptation among women with burns in Riyadh were statistically significant. The correlation was positive and significant between most dimensions of body image and most dimensions of psychosocial adaptation, at different levels of significance. The study's results indicated the potential to forecast psychosocial adjustment based on data related to body image and dimensions among burn victims in Riyadh. The measurements of psychosocial adaptation have been categorised based on their averages. Psychological compatibility ranked first, followed by physical compatibility in second place, family compatibility in third place, and social compatibility in fourth place. The overall average of the psychosocial adaptation scale falls within the middle category. The average dimensions of the body image were all within the normal range, as it came after accepting imperfect body parts and followed a consistent pattern. The general body parts came in second place, with the psychological perspective of body shape ranking third. The intellectual standpoint of body shape followed in fourth place, and the social standpoint of body shape came in fifth. Overall, the general average of the body image scale fell into the medium category.