Well-being in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: the role of acceptance.
OBJECTIVE
Research in chronic pain patients has shown that accepting the chronic nature of their illness is positively related to quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate whether acceptance is also associated with better well-being in patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).


METHODS
Ninety-seven patients completed a battery of questionnaires measuring fatigue, functional impairment, psychological distress, and acceptance.


RESULTS
Results indicated that acceptance has a positive effect upon fatigue and psychological aspects of well-being. More specifically, acceptance was related to more emotional stability and less psychological distress, beyond the effects of demographic variables, and fatigue severity.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that promoting acceptance in patients with CFS may often be more beneficial than trying to control largely uncontrollable symptoms.
Van Damme
Stefaan
S
Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. stefaan.vandamme@ugent.be
Crombez
Geert
G
Van Houdenhove
Boudewijn
B
Mariman
An
A
Michielsen
Walter
W
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004644:Emotions; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012803:Sick Role; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile