The relationship between illness attributions and attributional style in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between illness attributions and general attributional style in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).


METHODS
Participants with CFS answered questions on their explanation for their illness and completed the Attributional Style Questionnaire (parallel form).


RESULTS
Of the participants, 58.3% attributed their illness to predominantly physical factors. A significant relationship was found between the presence of a self-serving attributional style and illness attributions.


CONCLUSIONS
Illness attributions were associated with an individual's general attributional style. It is suggested that illness attributions may be less important with regards prognosis than, for example, other variables which influence a person's general view of the world.
Creswell
Cathy
C
Sub-Department of Clinical Health Psychology, University College London, UK. c.creswell@ucl.ac.uk
Chalder
Trudie
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires