Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is an illness of unknown origin. Although its reality and nature remain in dispute, people in crucial social roles have taken positions that stigmatize or legitimize the condition. And most sufferers remain convinced that CFS is a real, physical illness. This study examined stigma and legitimation in CFS through semi-structured interviews with doctors (N = 15), insurers (N = 16), significant others (N = 23), and sufferers (N = 43). The findings confirm that CFS is stigmatized by characterizing it as a psychological disorder or a form of malingering. But they also show that the duration of the illness and associated disability are sources of stigma not previously identified with CFS. Furthermore, in the absence of biomedical findings, social judgments about sufferers' credibility became a major factor in legitimizing the illness. / By studying stigmatization and legitimation together, it became possible to identify how shifts occurred from one position to the other. By studying doctors, insurers, and significant others, it became evident that five common elements across their different social locations were influencing their views about the illness and its effect on their personal and professional lives or occupational contexts. In turn, these perspectives and effects shaped their reactions to sufferers. / Individual and social factors were found to be implicated in sufferers' illness convictions. On a personal level, persistent or recurrent severe somatic symptoms, functional deterioration, and self evaluations led sufferers to conclude they were physically sick At a social level, these beliefs were sustained by intermittent reinforcement from sympathetic doctors, support group members, and selected medical literature. Finally this study showed the personal and social costs associated with both stigmatizing and legitimizing CFS.

No description available.

Social support has been implicated in health outcome through the functions of neuroendocrine responses. One function of body neuroendocrine responses is sleep behavior. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis of a positive relationship between social support and adaptation to sleep in Taiwanese hospitalized adults. Subjects for this descriptive study included 94 Taiwanese hospitalized adults from two hospitals. Of the 94 patients, 30 had social support with the presence of a relative or friend. Subjects were required to have spent two consecutive hospitalized or post-operative nights in order to be included in the study. Data analysis showed an insignificant difference between supported and unsupported groups in terms of disturbance and effectiveness of sleep. It is recommended that more appropriate measurement of social support be used to test the conceptual framework in the future.

An ethnographic study was utilized to identify coping strategies of women with breast cancer. Five women were interviewed; four were interviewed on three separate occasions, and one was interviewed twice. The data were analyzed for specific coping strategies taken by the women to deal with the stresses of breast cancer. These strategies were compared and organized into categories of coping strategies: Actions Taken, Emotional Support, Positive Outcomes, Getting Control, and Keeping a Positive Attitude. These five categories were integrated as new coping incidents appeared in the data. The original five categories were merged into three categories: Getting Control, Compensating, and Emotional Support. From these three categories the theory was written: Women with breast cancer will obtain support, get control over what they can control, and compensate for what they cannot control.

Magister Artium - MA / This research explored cultural perceptions of HIV & AIDS with students at the University of the Western Cape and attempted to understand how these perceptions of the disease reinforce stigma and stigmatising attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS. This study investigated HIV/AIDS stigma as a social phenomenon and analysed the socio-cultural and historical roots of HIV/AIDS stigma. / South Africa

Psychology / (D. Litt et Phil.(Psychology ))

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This paper provides an overview and critical evaluation of current (1990-2001) research into Human Immune-deficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immuno-deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), with particular reference to factors affecting quality of life (QOL) among those living with the disease. A brief look at the importance of optimal QOL when faced with a life crisis such as HIV/AIDS, leads to a discussion of factors influencing QOL in HIV/AIDS. These factors include coping styles, mental adjustment, social support, stigmatization, socio-economic and socia-cultural factors, gender, depression as well as disease progression. The overview is informed by prominent research trends and a critical look at the current understanding of factors impacting on the QOL of people living with HIV/AIDS. Recommendations are made on issues that need further clarification, while future research orientations are also suggested. In the absence of satisfactory treatment strategies or a cure for HIV/AIDS, as well as the evidence of a potentiall0 to 12 year life expectancy, there is a pressing need for a better understanding of factors that influence QOL. There is strong support for the notion that QOL directly impacts on disease progression and therefore also on the quality and quantity of survival time. It follows that a better understanding of the nature and determinants of QOL for HIV patients will yield valuable intervention guidelines within a biopsychosocial framework. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie artikel bied 'n oorsig en kritiese evaluering van onlangse (1990-2001) navorsing in die veld van Menslike Immuniteitsgebrek Virus (MIV) en Verworwe Immuniteitsgebrek Sindroom (VIGS), met besondere verwysing na faktore wat bydra tot die lewenskwaliteit van geïnfekteerde indiwidue. Die belangrikheid van optimale lewenskwaliteit teen die agtergrond van 'n lewenskrisis soos 'n MIV-diagnose, word kortliks bepsreek. Daarop volg In bespreking van faktore wat In invloed het op lewenskwaliteit in HIV/AIDS. Hierdie faktore sluit in hanteringstyl, psigiese aanpasbaarheid, sosiale ondersteuning, stigmatisering, sosio-ekonomies en sosio-kulturele faktore, geslag, depressie asook siekteverloop. Die oorsig word gerugsteun deur prominente navorsingstendense asook 'n kritiese blik op huidige perspektiewe op faktore wat 'n impak het op die lewenskwaliteit van mense wat leef met MIVjVIGS. Aanbevelings word gemaak aangaande aspekte waaroor verdere helderheid verkry moet word, asook oor toekomstige navorsingsvraagstukke. Gegewe die afwesigheid van voldoende behandelingstrategieë of selfs 'n geneesmiddel vir MIV, tesame met die bewys van 'n 10 tot 12 jaar potensiële lewensverwagting, bestaan daar 'n dringende noodsaaklikheid vir grondiger insig in faktore wat lewenskwaliteit beïnvloed. Daar is sterk steun vir die uitgangspunt dat lewenskwaliteit 'n direkte impak het op siekteverloop en derhalwe ook op die duur en kwaliteit van oorlewingstyd. Verbeterde kennis oor die aard en determinante van lewenskwaliteit in MIV-pasiënte sal dus waardevolle inligting kan verskaf in terme van toepaslike riglyne vir intervensies binne 'n biopsigososiale raamwerk.

This research explored cultural perceptions of HIV&amp / AIDS with students at the University of the Western Cape and attempted to understand how these perceptions of the disease reinforce stigma and stigmatising attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS. This study investigated HIV/AIDS stigma as a social phenomenon and analysed the socio-cultural and historical roots of HIV/AIDS stigma.

This research explored cultural perceptions of HIV&amp / AIDS with students at the University of the Western Cape and attempted to understand how these perceptions of the disease reinforce stigma and stigmatising attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS. This study investigated HIV/AIDS stigma as a social phenomenon and analysed the socio-cultural and historical roots of HIV/AIDS stigma.

Psychology / (D. Litt et Phil.(Psychology ))