Causal attributions and perceived stigma for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic disease with the hallmark symptom of post-exertional malaise. Evidence for physiological  causes is converging, however, currently no diagnostic test or biomarker is  available. People with ME/CFS experience stigmatization, including the perception  that the disease is psychosomatic. In a sample of 499 participants with  self-diagnosed ME/CFS, we investigated perceived stigma as a pathway through  which perceived others' causal attributions relate to lower satisfaction with  social roles and activities and functional status. Higher perceived attributions  by others to controllable and unstable causes predicted lower health-related and  social outcomes via higher perceived stigma.