Association of Resilience with Appearance Anxiety in Burn Survivors in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Burn injuries are not only physically devastating but also impair the victim’s self-worth, social interactions and occupational functioning with significant social, emotional and physical health consequences among survivors globally and in Pakistan in particular. In Pakistani culture, where appearance is weighed more heavily and it has a significant link with social approval, acceptance and beautification. The cross-sectional study design was used to investigate the association of resilience with appearance anxiety among burn survivors in Karachi, Pakistan. The study involved participants with second- and third-degree burns, recruited from the Burns Ward at Civil Hospital, Karachi. Participants completed the Resilience Scale (RS) and the Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI). Results revealed a significant negative relationship of resilience with appearance anxiety, indicating that higher resilience is associated with a lower level of appearance-related anxiety. The findings underscore that resilience significantly mitigates burn survivors’ psychosocial challenges, and incorporating culturally tailored resilience-building strategies into rehabilitation programs is essential for enhancing their quality of life in Pakistan.