J Korean Acad Adult Nurs.  1997 Apr;9(1):112-123.

Fatigue and the Related Factors in Well Women

• Yang KH
• Han HR

Abstract

Fatigue is the subjective sense which people experience and use commonly in their lives. Although factors regards with fatigue have been explored in specific population, minimal study has been devoted to exploring associated variables generally healthy women. This descriptive study examined the relationship of demographic factors and depressions to subjective fatigue among women in the community who have no critical health problems. From June 15 to July 15, 1996, a convenience sample of 255 adult women completed the questionnaire which was developed by the author on the basis of Yoshitake's(1978) and Zung(1965), respectively. Pearson's correlation, t-test, ANOVA and Mann-Whitney test were used to analyze the data with SPSS/PC+ 5.0 for Windows. The results were as follows ; 1) Average fatigue score of the subjects was 12.57(+/-7.15)(range 0~30). Fatigue scores by area were neuroperceptive fatigue(4.81+/-2.90), physical fatigue(3.99+/-2.46) and mental fatigue(3.71+/-2.91) in order. Subjects with the fatigue scores more than 20 were forty four, 17.2 percent of total subjects. 2) Average depression score was 46.1(+/-6.96)(range 16~64), which was not so high. 3) Statistically significant relationship was noted between fatigue and depression scores(r=-.6747, p<.001) that means the more depressive, the more be fatigued. Correlations with respective fatigue area and depression were mental fatigue(r=-.6833, p<.001), neuroperceptive fatigue(r=-.5293, p<.001) and physical fatigue(r=-.5189, p<.001) in order. 4) Presence of disease revealed as the statistically significant variable affecting fatigue scores(t=-4.31, p<.001). Other variables such as age, marriage and job, however, had no statistically significant effect on the fatigue scores. Fatigue can meaningfully undermine quality of life in women who are accustomed to leading active lives. Fatigue is disabling, and a serious symptom to those who suffer from it. It is important for health providers as well as the women to recognize that there exits the relationship between fatigue and depression. Further investigation is necessary to facilitate adequate resolution of the clients' problem from fatigue leading to diminishment of the significance.

MeSH Terms

Adult
Demography
Depression
Fatigue*
Female
Humans
Marriage
Quality of Life
Surveys and Questionnaires