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Depression, attribution style and self-esteem in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia patients: is there a link?

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Abstract

The aims of the present study were to compare a single diagnosis (chronic fatigue syndrome, CFS) and a double diagnosis (CFS + fibromyalgia, CFS + FM) group regarding depression, attribution style and self-esteem as well as to examine whether attribution style is a mediator in the relationship between self-esteem and depression. Eighty-five patients (CFS: 47, CFS + FM: 38) completed questionnaires on attribution style, self-esteem and depression. The single and double diagnosis groups tended to differ slightly, but the differences were never statistically significant. In addition, only one condition was met of the four conditions mentioned by Baron and Kenny to establish that mediation exists between two variables. In conclusion, an external attribution style does not protect the CFS or CFS + FM patients with a low self-esteem from depression. The prevalence rate of depression was high in both patient samples, of which clinicians should be aware.

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Abbreviations

CFS:

Chronic fatigue syndrome

FM:

Fibromyalgia

HADS:

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale

MHLC:

Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology and Health, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands

    H. J. Michielsen

  2. Department of Liaison Psychiatry, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, UZ Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    B. Van Houdenhove

  3. Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, K.U. Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    I. Leirs & P. Onghena

  4. University Hospital Gasthuisberg, K.U. Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    A. Vandenbroeck

Authors
  1. H. J. Michielsen
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  2. B. Van Houdenhove
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  3. I. Leirs
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  4. P. Onghena
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  5. A. Vandenbroeck
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Correspondence to B. Van Houdenhove.

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Published online: 12 July 2005

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Michielsen, H.J., Van Houdenhove, B., Leirs, I. et al. Depression, attribution style and self-esteem in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia patients: is there a link?. Clin Rheumatol 25, 183–188 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-005-1154-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-005-1154-1

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