A structural model for symptom management of the patients with chronic fatigue.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to construct a structural model for symptom management of life of the patients with chronic fatigue. The hypothetical model was developed based on the literature review and Self-regulating Model. METHOD: Data were collected by questionnaires from 252 patients with chronic fatigue in the 8 community from December 2002 to April 2003 in Seoul. Data analysis was done with SAS for descriptive statistics and PC-LISREL Program for Covariance structural analysis. RESULT: The fit of the hypothetical model to the data was moderate, thus it was modified by excluding 4 path and including free parameters and 3 path to it. The modified model with path showed a good fitness to the empirical data(chi2=318.11, p=0.0, GFI=.98, AGFI=.98, NNFI=.95, RMSR=.03, RMSEA=.05). The symptoms of stress, self-efficacy, and present fatigue level were found to have significant direct effect on symptom management of the patients with chronic fatigue. The ways of coping, perceived stress, and fatigue symptom were found to have indirect effects on symptom management of the patients with chronic fatigue. CONCLUSION: The derived model is considered appropriate in explaining and predicting symptom management of the patients with chronic fatigue. Therefore, it can effectively be used as a reference model for further studies and suggested direction in nursing practice.