Death of a lifestyle: the effects of social support and healthcare support on the quality of life of persons with fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate how social support and healthcare support affect the quality of life of persons with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.


METHODS
A constant comparison method was used for the qualitative portion of the research and descriptive correlational methods were used for the quantitative portion.


CONCLUSIONS
This mixed design research study suggested that social support, unlike healthcare support, is related to Quality of Life (QOL). It was also evident that subjects suffering from CFS and/or FMS do not experience high levels of social support.
Schoofs
Nancy
N
Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
Bambini
Deborah
D
Ronning
Pamela
P
Bielak
Emily
E
Woehl
Jennie
J
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009656:North America; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires