The development and initial validation of the Fatigue Sensitivity Questionnaire.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Health Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Chronic fatigue is poorly understood, with limited research on underlying psychological factors.
• Existing clinical approaches to fatigue lack measures for individual differences in negative outcome expectations.
• Understanding fatigue sensitivity is crucial for addressing chronic fatigue and related psychological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a measure assessing expectations of negative consequences related to fatigue symptoms.
• To introduce the Fatigue Sensitivity Questionnaire (FSQ) for measuring fatigue sensitivity.
• To provide a tool for better understanding psychological vulnerability in fatigue.

Main Methods:

• Development and validation of a 10-item measure, the Fatigue Sensitivity Questionnaire (FSQ).
• Data collected from two independent samples of young adults (N = 1,827).
• Statistical analyses to assess unidimensionality, internal consistency, convergent, and discriminant validity.

Main Results:

• The FSQ demonstrated strong psychometric properties, including unidimensionality and excellent internal consistency.
• The questionnaire exhibited robust convergent and discriminant validity.
• A single score from the FSQ effectively measures fatigue sensitivity.

Conclusions:

• The 10-item FSQ is a valid and reliable measure for assessing fatigue sensitivity.
• The FSQ can be a brief, informative clinical and research tool for understanding fatigue.
• This measure may enhance comprehension of vulnerability factors influencing fatigue-related health outcomes.