Coping strategies in twins with chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Afari
N
N
Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. afari@u.washington.edu
Schmaling
K B
KB
Herrell
R
R
Hartman
S
S
Goldberg
J
J
Buchwald
D S
DS
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D004200:Diseases in Twins; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011340:Problem Solving; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic / Q000523:psychology; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic / Q000523:psychology