Social Support and the Persistence of Complaints in Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome

Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 2004;73:174-182
(DOI: 10.1159/000076455)

J.B. Prins [a], E. Bos [a], M.J.H. Huibers [a,c], P. Servaes
[a], S.P. van der Werf [a], J.W.M. van der Meer [b], G. Bleijenberg [a]

Departments of
[a] Medical Psychology and
[b] General Internal Medicine, University Medical Centre Nijmegen,
Nijmegen, and
[c] Department of Epidemiology and General Practice, Maastricht
University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

[*] Corresponding author: Judith Prins
University Medical Centre Nijmegen, 118 Medical Psychology
PO Box 9101
NL-6500 HB Nijmegen (The Netherlands)
Tel. +31 24 3613608, Fax +31 24 3613425, E-Mail
mailto:j.prins@cukz.umcn.nl


Abstract
Background: Several studies suggested that the surroundings of chronic
fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients are of importance in the persistence of
complaints. Contrary to what was expected, participation in support
groups has not led to clinical improvement. The purpose of the present
study was to describe social support in CFS patients as compared with
other fatigued and non-fatigued groups. Further, changes in social
support and the influence of social support on the course of CFS over a
period of more than 1 year were studied in patients with and without
treatment.

Methods: Baseline data were assessed in 270 CFS patients, 150
disease-free breast cancer patients, 151 fatigued employees on sick-leave
and 108 healthy subjects using the Social Support List and Significant
Others Scale. CFS patients were followed in cognitive behaviour therapy
(CBT), guided support groups and natural course at 8 and 14 months.

Results: CFS patients and fatigued employees reported more negative
interactions and insufficiency of supporting interactions than cancer
patients and healthy controls. No differences in frequency of supporting
interactions were found. Negative interactions decreased significantly
after treatment with CBT, but did not change in support groups or natural
course. In the natural course, higher fatigue severity at 8 months was
predicted by more negative interactions at baseline.

Conclusions: In CFS patients and fatigued employees, social support is
worse than in disease-free cancer patients and healthy controls. Lack of
social support was identified as a new factor in the model of
perpetuating factors of fatigue severity and functional impairment in
CFS.

Copyright © 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel