FUNCTIONING IN CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME - DO ILLNESS PERCEPTIONS PLAYA REGULATORY ROLE

The relationships between illness perceptions, coping and adjustment m ere investigated in the context of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Sel f-reported illness perceptions, coping, disability levels and psycholo gical well-being were assessed in a national sample of 233 CFS suffere rs. A series of regression analyses indicated that illness perceptions explained a greater percentage of the variance in levels of disabilit y and psychological well-being than did the coping strategies used by the participants to manage their illness. The illness perception compo nents of illness identity, emotional causes, controllability and conse quences had the strongest overall association with adjustment such tha t participants with a strong illness identity, who believed their illn ess was out of their control, caused by stress and had very serious co nsequences were most disabled and psychologically impaired. Disengagem ent coping strategies and venting emotions were also associated with g reater disability and poorer psychological well-being, while positive reinterpretation and seeking social support were positively related to psychological well-being. The potential role of illness perceptions i n the maintenance of CFS is discussed.