Original article
Well-being in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: The role of acceptance

Journal of Psychosomatic Research, Vol 61, Issue 5, Nov 2006, Pages 595-599

doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2006.04.015

Stefaan Van Damme [a], Geert Crombez [a], Boudewijn Van Houdenhove 
[b], An Mariman [c], and Walter Michielsen [c]

Affiliations:
[a] Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent 
University, Ghent, Belgium
[b] University Hospital, Leuven, Belgium
[c] University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium

Received 6 December 2005;
revised 6 April 2006;
accepted 25 April 2006.
Available online 1 November 2006.



Abstract
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.

Conclusion: We suggest that promoting acceptance in patients with CFS may 
often be more beneficial than trying to control largely uncontrollable 
symptoms.


Keywords: Chronic fatigue syndrome; Quality of life; Acceptance; Illness 
cognitions