• Login
    View Item 
    •   Home
    • Massey Documents by Type
    • Theses and Dissertations
    • View Item
    •   Home
    • Massey Documents by Type
    • Theses and Dissertations
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Patients' perspectives on fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University

    Icon
    View/Open Full Text
    01_front.pdf (720.4Kb)
    02_whole.pdf (31.90Mb)
    Export to EndNote
    Abstract
    Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a chronic musculoskeletal pain syndrome of unknown origin and uncertain prognosis. In this study, patients' perspectives of their experiences of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) were explored using grounded theory methodology. Of particular interest were their perspectives on aetiology, symptoms, intervening conditions, coping strategies, and consequences of FMS. Eight FMS sufferers participated in one-to-one in-depth semi-structured interviews. Interview transcriptions were analysed using Strauss & Corbin's (1990) paradigm model of grounded theory. Findings indicate a degree of conceptual overlap with previous literature in terms of the known aetiology. However, new evidence appeared in the form of a combined reactive, idiopathic onset, with more support for a multifactorial FMS aetiology. Further, familial and heredity factors emerged as more significant aetiologies than was previously suspected for FMS suffers'. Symptoms for the present sample parallel to those of the literature. Specifically, both chronic pain and fatigue emerged as the most salient and disturbing symptom of the FMS experience. Pain assumed the role of the basic social process (BSP) in the core category that summed up the FMS experience. One new crucial finding was the degree of cyclic association between pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance, which interacted to create and maintain other FMS symptoms. Public and professional misperceptions, medical assistance, and knowledge of the condition emerged as important intervening conditions in the present population. Positive deferral emerged from the data as a new cognitive coping strategy. Moreover, a link was supported between cognitive coping strategies and self-efficacy. A new emergent pattern for FMS suffers revealed an evolution in the type and application of coping strategies. Consequences of FMS condition fluctuated and varied among patients according to various intervening conditions. The report discusses implications for patients, health professional and researchers. In general, the patients' perspective and dialogue on their own condition should be given greater weight in the diagnosis and treatment of FMS.
    Date
    1999
    Author
    Cheng, Maggie
    Rights
    The Author
    Publisher
    Massey University
    Description
    Page147 is missing from the original copy.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/10179/11095
    Collections
    • Theses and Dissertations
    Metadata
    Show full item record

    Copyright © Massey University
    Contact Us | Send Feedback | Copyright Take Down Request | Massey University Privacy Statement
    DSpace software copyright © Duraspace
    v5.7-2020.1
     

     

    Tweets by @Massey_Research
    Information PagesContent PolicyDepositing content to MROCopyright and Access InformationDeposit LicenseDeposit License SummaryTheses FAQFile FormatsDoctoral Thesis Deposit

    Browse

    All of MROCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    Copyright © Massey University
    Contact Us | Send Feedback | Copyright Take Down Request | Massey University Privacy Statement
    DSpace software copyright © Duraspace
    v5.7-2020.1