Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Self-Efficacy as a Psychological Moderator of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

  • Published:
Journal of Behavioral Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by debilitating fatigue and a variety of somatic symptoms. Few studies have examined psychological aspects of CFS. In the present study, self-efficacy is shown to be a significant predictor of CFS symptoms beyond the variance accounted for by demographic variables and distress. Further psychological CFS research is encouraged by (1)identifying dimensions that are salient in the experience and study of CFS, (2) providing preliminary psychometric data for measures of those dimensions, and (3)identifying psychological variables that serve as moderators of the experience of CFS.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychol. Rev. 84: 191-215.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A., Reese, L., and Adams, N. E. (1982). Microanalysis of action and fear arousal as a function of differential levels of perceived efficacy. J Pers. Soc. Psychol. 43: 5-21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T., and Beck, R. W. (1972). Screening depressed patients in family practice: A rapid technic. Postgrad. Med. 52: 81-85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blakely, A. A., Howard, R. C., Sosich, R. M., Campbell, J., Menkes, D. B., and Spears, G. F. (1991). Psychiatric symptoms, personality and ways of coping in chronic fatigue syndrome. Psychol. Med. 21: 347-362.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cho, W. K., and Stollerman, G. H. (1992). Chronic fatigue syndrome. Hosp. Pract. Sept.: 119-135.

  • DeLuca, J., Johnson, S. K., and Natelson, B. H. (1993). Information processing efficiency in chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple sclerosis. Arch. Neurol. 50: 301-304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gurwitt, A., Barrett, S., Brown, S., Butaney, E. C. A., Gorman, B., and Kilgore, J. L. (1992). Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Primer for Physicians and Allied Health Professionals, Massachusetts CFIDS Association, Waltham.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerns, R. D. (1996). Psychosocial factors: Primary or secondary outcomes? In Cohen, M. J. M., and Campbell, J. N. (eds.), Pain Treatment Centers at a Crossroads: APractical and Conceptual Reappraisal, Vol. 7. Progress in Pain Research and Management, IASP Press, Seattle, WA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerns, R. D., Turk, D. C., and Rudy, T. E. (1985). The West Haven-Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory (WHYMPI). Pain 23: 345-356.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krupp, L. B., Sliwinski, M., Masur, D. M., Friedberg, F., and Coyle, P. K. (1994). Cognitive functioning and depression in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple sclerosis. Arch. Neurol. 51: 705-710.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorig, K., and Gonzalez, V. (1992). The integration of theory with practice: A 12-year case study. Health Educ. Q. 19: 355-368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorig, K., Chastain, R. L., Ung, E., Shoor, S., and Holman, H. R. (1989). Development and evaluation of a scale to measure perceived self-efficacy in people with arthritis. Arth. Rheum. 32: 37-44.

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Leary, A., Shoor, S., Lorig, K., and Holman, H. R. (1988). A cognitive-behavioral treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Health Psychol. 7: 527-544.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reyes, M., Gary, H. E., Dobbins, J. G., Randall, B. Steele, L., Fukuda, K., Holmes, G. P., Connell, D. G., Mawle, A. C., Schmid, D. S., Stewart, J. A., Schonberger, L. B., Gunn, W. J., and Reeves, W. C. (1997). Surveillance for chronic fatigue syndrome—FourU.S. cities, September 1989 through August 1993. MMWR 46(No. SS-2): 8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Riccio, M., Thompson, C., Wilson, B., Morgan D. J. R., and Lant, A. F. (1992). Neuropsychological and psychiatric abnormalities in myalgic encephalomyelitis: A preliminary report. Br. J. Clin. Psychol. 31: 111-120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmaling, K. B., DiClementi, J. D., Cullum, C. M., and Jones, J. F. (1994). Cognitive functioning in chronic fatigue syndrome and depression: A preliminary comparison. Psychosom. Med. 56: 383-388.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, A. P., Behan, P. O., Bell, W., Millar, K., and Bakheit, M. (1993). Behavioral problems associated with the chronic fatigue syndrome. Br. J. Psychol. 84: 411-423.

    Google Scholar 

  • Surawy, C., Hackmann, A., Hawton, K. H., and Sharpe, M., (1995). Chronic fatigue syndrome: A cognitive approach. Behav. Res. Ther. 33: 535-544.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. James C. Findley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Robert Kerns
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Loren D. Weinberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Roberta Rosenberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Findley, J.C., Kerns, R., Weinberg, L.D. et al. Self-Efficacy as a Psychological Moderator of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. J Behav Med 21, 351–362 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018726713470

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018726713470

Search

Navigation