Hope and social support in the psychological adjustment of children who have survived burn injuries and their matched controls

The predictor variables of hope and social support were examined in relation to the criterion variables of psychosocial outcome in adolescents who survived burn injuries and a matched peer sample. Higher hope contributed unique variance to the prediction of less externalizing behaviors (disruptive behavior disorders) and increased global self-worth. More social support contributed unique variance to the prediction of global self-worth. Theoretical and practical implications of hope as well as social support are discussed with regard to children in general and children recovering from burns in particular.