{"id":15658,"date":"2018-03-02T10:08:39","date_gmt":"2018-03-02T10:08:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wames.org.uk\/cms-english\/?p=15658"},"modified":"2018-03-02T10:29:45","modified_gmt":"2018-03-02T10:29:45","slug":"stigma-in-me-its-association-with-functioning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wames.org.uk\/cms-english\/stigma-in-me-its-association-with-functioning\/","title":{"rendered":"Stigma in ME & its association with functioning"},"content":{"rendered":"

Research abstract:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Stigma in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and its association with functioning<\/a>, by Don M. Baken, Shane T. Harvey, David L. Bimler & Kirsty J. Ross in<\/span> Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health & Behavior<\/em> Volume 6, 2018 – Issue 1<\/p>\n

Background:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis\/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome\u00a0(ME\/CFS) is categorised by the World Health Organisation as a\u00a0neurological condition. It is poorly understood and people with ME\/CFS\u00a0report experiencing stigma. Research suggests that stigma might be\u00a0linked to functional ability.<\/p>\n

Purpose:<\/strong><\/p>\n

This study investigated the relationship of stigma to factors\u00a0associated with functional ability. Additionally, the use of\u00a0standardised measures allowed for comparison of stigma severity in\u00a0ME\/CFS to other neurological conditions.<\/p>\n

Method: <\/strong><\/p>\n

A convenience sample of 206 people diagnosed with ME\/CFS\u00a0completed mailed or online self-report standardised measures of\u00a0stigma, health, ability to participate in social roles and activities,\u00a0and their satisfaction with this ability. Findings were compared to
\npublished data for three neurological conditions.<\/p>\n

Results: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Stigma scores were significantly correlated (p\u2009<\u2009.0001) with\u00a0all self-report health and functional measures (range: \u2212.30 to \u2212.42).\u00a0 The ME\/CFS sample reported higher levels of stigma (d\u2009=\u20091..30) and\u00a0lower levels of health (d\u2009=\u20091.86\u20132.16) and functioning (d\u2009=\u20091.63) than\u00a0the comparison conditions.<\/p>\n

Conclusions<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Consistent with studies over the last two decades, people\u00a0with ME\/CFS report higher levels of stigma when compared to the other\u00a0conditions. The stigma is not just associated with health but also\u00a0with specific measures of functional ability.<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

The Stigma Short-form scale<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Never \/\u00a0Rarely \/\u00a0Sometimes \/ Often \/\u00a0Always<\/p>\n