Journal article
Coping strategies in twins with chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome
Journal of psychosomatic research, Vol.48(6), pp.547-554
2000
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/107420
PMID: 11033373
Abstract
Objectives: Individuals with chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) face debilitating symptoms as well as stressful life situations that may result from their condition. The goal of this study was to examine the coping strategies used by fatigue-discordant twin pairs.
Methods: We utilized a co-twin design to assess how twin pairs discordant for chronic fatigue and CFS cope with stress. All twin pairs were administered the Revised Ways of Coping Checklist.
Results: Overall, the pattern of coping strategies was similar for fatigued and non-fatigued twins. However, twins with chronic fatigue or CFS utilized more avoidance strategies than their non-fatigued counterparts; those with chronic fatigue also used more avoidance relative to problem-focused coping than their co-twins.
Conclusions: These results suggest that while fatigue-discordant twins generally exhibit similar behavior patterns in order to cope with stress, there may be an association between fatigue and avoidance coping. Future research should focus on the role of avoidance and its relationship to fatiguing illnesses.
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Details
- Title
- Coping strategies in twins with chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome
- Creators
- Niloofar Afari - Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USAKaren B Schmaling - Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USARichard Herrell - Division of Epidemiology — Biostatistics at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USASuzanne Hartman - Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USAJack Goldberg - Division of Epidemiology — Biostatistics at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USADedra S Buchwald - Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Publication Details
- Journal of psychosomatic research, Vol.48(6), pp.547-554
- Academic Unit
- Community Health; Psychology, Department of
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- Identifiers
- 99900547571401842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article