ABSTRACT
The Effects of Social Support and Health Care Support on the Quality of Life of Persons with Fibromyalgia and/or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
The purpose of this mixed qualitative/quantitative study was to investigate how social support and health care support affect the quality of life of persons with Fibromyalgia (FMS), which primarily affects women, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Quality of life is an issue of increasing importance to those persons afflicted with FMS or CFS as well as their families. The amount of social support an individual has also affects that person’s quality of life. Subjects were members of web-based or actual FMS or CFS support groups who answered the SF-36 Health Survey, a Quality of Life Questionnaire, and a Perceived Social Support Scale. Scores were analyzed to determine any relationship among the variables. Subjects’ recorded interviews were transcribed and coded for common concepts. The quantitative data suggested that family support has the strongest correlation with Quality of Life (QOL). Social support from friends also positively correlated with quality of life. In the qualitative analysis, it was evident that subjects suffering from CFS and/or FMS do not experience high levels of social support. The quantitative data support this conclusion in that, although there was evidence of a correlation between QOL and friend/family support, it is a weak-moderate positive linear correlation. Furthermore, in the qualitative analysis, those subjects suffering from CFS described a lower QOL than those suffering from FMS alone. Although the quantitative data does not support a correlation between health care support and QOL, health insurance and disability issues were identified as very important issues. More recognition by the government of FMS and CFS as disabilities is needed. More research is also needed to understand these conditions so that nurses can adequately educate and care for these clients.
Key words: fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, quality of life
Session #1197 - Chronicity
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)