The role of pain, perseverative cognition and goal adjustment in vasculitis-associated fatigue

J Health Psychol. 2018 Sep;23(10):1299-1308. doi: 10.1177/1359105316652466. Epub 2016 Jun 14.

Abstract

Fatigue is a common symptom associated with vasculitis and contributes significantly to impaired quality of life. Motivational control theory suggests a role for perseverative cognition and goal adjustment in fatigue. Therefore, this study investigated these potential predictors of fatigue in individuals with vasculitis. A total of 249 participants completed online questionnaires assessing fatigue, perseverative cognition, goal disengagement and goal reengagement, in addition to demographic and disease-related variables. Hierarchical regression analysis found only pain, sleep disturbance, disease activity and perseverative cognition to significantly predict fatigue. This highlights the importance of psychological factors in determining fatigue in those with vasculitis.

Keywords: fatigue; goal adjustment; motivational control theory; perseverative cognition; vasculitis.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cognition*
  • Fatigue / etiology*
  • Fatigue / psychology
  • Female
  • Goals
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motivation
  • Pain / psychology*
  • Quality of Life
  • Regression Analysis
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / complications
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Vasculitis / complications*
  • Vasculitis / psychology*
  • Young Adult