CARING FOR PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC-FATIGUE-SYNDROME - PERCEIVED STRESS VERSUS SATISFACTION

A sample of adult caregivers (48 men and 48 women; M age = 46.8 years, SD = 13.6) who have cared for persons with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ( CFS) on a long-term basis participated in this study. Results indicate no significant sex difference regarding caregiver stress and satisfac tion, and both men and women reported greater satisfaction than stress (independent of life satisfaction). The more life satisfaction caregi vers reported, the less stress and more satisfaction they experienced in caring for a person with CFS. Social discomfort from working with a person with CFS was unrelated to stress or satisfaction as a caregive r. Results suggest that long-term volunteer caring for the chronically ill may be a satisfying experience, and may have implications for the rehabilitation of persons with CFS.