Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the self-perception contradictions and their relationship with body image among individuals with physical burns. It also sought to identify whether statistically significant differences exist based on gender, age, duration of injury, and marital status. Methods: To achieve the study objectives, the Self-Perception Contradictions Scale and the Body Image Scale were applied to an available sample of 168 individuals with physical burns. Results: The results revealed a contradiction between the actual self and the ideal self, with the ideal self-scoring higher than the actual self for 103 individuals, accounting for 61.30% of the sample. Similarly, a contradiction between the actual self and the ought self was observed, with the ought self-scoring higher than the actual self for 96 individuals, representing 57.10% of the sample. The overall body image evaluation was found to be low. The "social discomfort due to appearance" dimension had a high score, the "perceived social influence" dimension scored moderately, while the "satisfaction with appearance focusing on facial features" and "satisfaction with limbs and body" dimensions scored low. Statistically significant differences in the prevalence of self-perception contradictions were found based on gender, favoring females. However, no significant differences were observed based on age, duration of injury, or marital status. Conclusions: The researchers recommend supporting individuals with burns in adapting to their challenges, reducing contradictions in their self-perceptions, improving their body image evaluations, and promoting their psychological well-being.