Learning Objective #1: identify the types of losses experienced by trauma patients during recovery from unintentional injury.

Learning Objective #2: describe the relationship between loss of resources and depressive symptoms during recovery from unintentional traumatic injury.

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Traumatic injury is a global health problem affecting 20 to 50 million individuals annually. Trauma patients experience multiple losses in physical, emotional, psychological, financial, social, occupational, and personal realms. Depression during recovery has been found to occur in greater than 30% of trauma patients and is associated with negative outcomes, including physical and psychological disability, delayed return to work, and loss of economic and social productivity. Research to date has not measured loss of resources and examined its effect on depressive symptoms early during recovery. A greater understanding of the types of losses experienced and their association with depression is needed to inform nursing interventions to prevent or manage depression during recovery from traumatic injury. The purposes of this study were to measure loss of resources experienced by trauma patients during recovery from traumatic injury and to examine the relationship between loss and depressive symptoms. The Conservation of Resources model guided this study.

Using a cross-sectional design, a sample of 50 trauma patients recruited from two university medical center clinics participated in a single interview within four months of injury. Subjects completed measures of general health, resource loss, and depressive symptoms (CES-D). Data analysis included descriptive statistics, correlational, and t-tests analyses.

Greater than half of the sample had CES-D scores ≥ 16. Areas of greatest loss included personal transportation, stamina/endurance, independence, positive feelings towards self, goal accomplishment, and finances. Types of losses most strongly correlated with depressive symptoms were personal/attainment and financial resources. Narrative findings indicated subjects experienced negative changes in self-perception and interpersonal relationships.

Management of resource loss and depression during recovery from traumatic injury requires a multidisciplinary approach. Interventions to prevent losses and promote access to additional support services to maximize recovery outcomes are needed. Future research to support the development of these interventions will be presented.