Temperament and fatigue management in persons with chronic rheumatic disease.
BACKGROUND
In persons with chronic conditions, fatigue is often a disruptive symptom with a devastating impact on overall well-being. Descriptions of experiences with fatigue contribute to advancing knowledge and improving health outcomes.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the influence temperament has on fatigue representation, self-care strategies, and strategy success.


METHODS
A secondary analysis of an existing database of personal characteristics and symptom experiences of adults with chronic rheumatic diseases was conducted. All participants who reported fatigue at least once during the first week of participation in the study were included. Relationships were examined among demographic variables, temperamental dispositions, and symptom representation.


RESULTS
Significant relationships were demonstrated between perceived symptom seriousness, interference and helpfulness of selected strategies, and both demographic variables and temperamental dispositions.


CONCLUSIONS
When choosing interventions for the individual experiencing fatigue, be aware of demographic data and use assessment techniques to promote positive health practices.
Droegemueller
Carol J
CJ
North Memorial Health Care, Robbinsdale, MN 55422, USA. carol.droegemueller@northmemorial.com
Brauer
Donna J
DJ
van Buskirk
Dorothy J
DJ
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015984:Causality; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000458:organization & administration; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013694:Temperament