GENDER DIFFERENCES IN QUALITY OF LIFE AND SOCIAL SUPPORT IN PERSONS WITH CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME.
Contributors: University Of Illinois At Chicago, Health Sciences Center.
Published: 1994
Number of pages: 248
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Women's Studies.; Sociology, General.
Description: This study utilized survey methods and in-depth interviews to explore quality of life and social support issues in persons with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and to identify potential gender differences in these areas. A sample of 110 persons with CFS (PWCs) (30 men and 80 women) completed the CFS Survey, Quality of Life Index (QLI), Social Support Network Inventory (SSNI), Impact on Roles and Functioning Scale (IORF), and the CFS Sense of Control scale. From this sample, 11 women and 11 men were selected to provide detailed descriptions of their lived experiences with CFS during one-hour interviews.

Quality of life (QOL) was found to be significantly disrupted in CFS. Scores on the QLI were significantly lower for PWCs than for other chronic illness groups, particularly in the health and functioning and psychological/spiritual domains. Symptoms were multiple and diverse, but aspects of cognitive dysfunction were reported to be the most disabling. Subjects all reported significant impairment in the ability to function in household, social and work roles, yet had difficulty quantifying their level of functioning due to the marked variability of their symptoms.

Social networks were also highly disrupted. Non supportive responses by friends, coworkers and health professionals were common, and resulted in significant alterations in subjects' support networks. Scores on the SSNI were lower than in the general population, and showed wide variability in the degree of support received from family and friends. An unexpected finding was the high degree of social support obtained from computer bulletin boards in this sample.

No gender differences were found on the QLI or SSNI. Women reported greater impairment on several aspects of functional ability, and were also less satisfied with the emotional support received from family members than men.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-05, Section: B, page: 1798.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO, HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER, 1994.

School code: 0806.