Body image perception from the perspective of burn patients and their partners: A qualitative study

Background Adult burn injuries have a significant impact on the lives of patients and their partners, and it is crucial to understand the effect of burn injuries on body image perception. Understanding body image from the perspectives of burn patients and their partners is critical in developing burn management strategies, improving patient outcomes, and helping patients cope with burn injuries. Objectives This study aims to examine in depth the perceptions and experiences of burn patients and their partners regarding body image from a qualitative perspective. Methods A qualitative study was conducted with a purposive sample of 25 participants aged 20–60 years (mean age 38.2 ± 13.0 years) who were treated at a burn center in a hospital in eastern Turkey between 2024 and 2025. Data were collected using semi-structured interview questions, and thematic analysis was applied to identify key themes. Results Four themes emerged from the data analysis: (1) body image and self-perception, (2) emotional reflections of body image, (3) body image and perception of sexuality, and (4) the effect of burn scars on physical body perception. Conclusion This study, by considering burn injury patients and their partners together, reveals that body image perception is affected in multiple ways. The findings show that changes in body image after burns extend beyond physical appearance; they also significantly affect self-perception, emotional reflections, gender perception, and relational dynamics.