Conservation of Resources Theory, Perceived Stress, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Outcomes of a Consumer-Driven Rehabilitation Program

Objective: To evaluate the impact of a consumer-driven rehabilitation program on perceptions of loss and gain of interpersonal relationships, energy, material objects, work benefits and opportunities, well-being, and experiences of mastery in persons with chronic fatigue syndrome. Study Design: Participants were randomly assigned to a program group ( n = 23) or a control group ( n = 24). Outcomes were assessed (a) at baseline, (b) after program participants completed an illness management group, and (c) after they completed one-on-one peer counseling. Setting: A community-based advocacy organization for individuals with disabilities. Interventions: Four months of illness management groups followed by 7 months of one-on-one peer counseling emphasizing goal setting and goal attainment. Main Outcome Measure: The Conservation of Resources Evaluation scale. Results: Significant gains were observed for program participants across all categories of resource gain-interpersonal, energy, material, work, well-being, and mastery resources. Effect sizes were moderate to large. Conclusions: Programs in which participatory action research methods are used may have a positive impact on resource acquisition for individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome.