An analysis of the relationship between coping strategies used and incidence of relapse in myalgic encephalomyelitis
Date
2016-07-20
Authors
Biccard, Anne-Marie
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Abstract
This dissertation studies the relationship between the use of certain coping strategies and
the relapse of'illness, Eighty subjects with 1\'{yalgicEncephalomyelitis (M.E.) were followed
OVera nine month period, initially completing a biographical questionnaire which
showed some interesting common features, but these characteristics may be attributed
to the narrow population from which the sample was drawn. The subjects then completed
a battery of tests every eight weeks. These tests monitored appraisal of stressors,
ways of coping and general health over the eight weeks since the previous test. Results
were analysed using a Pearson's product moment correlation and a principal components
factor analysis with a varimax rotation. The subjects were expected to show
a positive correlat'on between certain coping techniques (such as denial, avoidance, and
self- blame) and the relapse of M.B., while a zero or negative correlation between other
coping techniques (such as seeking social support and problem solving when the stressor
is controllable) and relapse. Neither of these hypotheses was supported by the data
gathered. However, the subjects showed a remarkable consistency inthe types of'coping
used, rather than adapting the mode of coping to the type of stressor experienced.
It was concluded that the subjects used abnormal coping techniques and that these
techniques Weresomehow related to their illness. However, the exact causal relationship
between the coping techniques and the illness could not be assessed. It is possible that
the subjects' poor coping mechanisms contributed to the development and exacerbation
of the illness but it in also possible that the illness limited the repertoire of coping techniques
available to the p"atient.
Description
Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand,
Johannesburg, for the degree of Master of Science.
Johannesburg 1993