Prediction of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in mothers of children with cancer based on empathy and experienced guilt

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to predict the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in mothers of children with cancer based on their empathy and guilt. The research method was correlational. The statistical population included all mothers who had children diagnosed with cancer between summer and autumn of 2019 from among whom 87 mothers were studied using convenient sampling method with an internet survey. The tools of this study were Interpersonal Guilt Questionnaire (IGQ-67), Interpersonal Response Questionnaire (IRI) and Chalder Chronic Fatigue Questionnaire (CFQ-11). The obtained data were analyzed using Pearson Correlation and Multiple Regression with SPSS21. The results of the data analysis showed that chronic fatigue syndrome had a positive and significant relationship with general guilt and its dimensions; including survivor guilt, separation guilt, omnipotence guilt, and self-hate guilt, and with two dimensions of empathy; perspective and Imagination. Also, the dimensions of omnipotence guilt and fantasy predicted 60/8 percent of variance of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. According to the role of guilt and empathy in chronic fatigue experience of mothers of children with cancer psychological interventions related to emotion regulation and management can play an important role in reducing psychological burnout.