The relation between pathological worrying and fatigue in a working population

Andrea, H.; Beurskens, A.J.H.M; Kant, IJ.; Davey, G.C.L.; Field, A.P.; van Schayck, C.P.

doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2003.09.013

« Previous Next »Journal of Psychosomatic Research
Volume 57, Issue 4 , Pages 399-407, October 2004

The relation between pathological worrying and fatigue in a working population

H. Andrea
- Corresponding author. Psychotherapeutic Centre “De Viersprong,” P.O. Box 7, 4660 AA Halsteren, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31-164-63-22-00 (office hours); fax: +31-164-63-22-20
- Department of General Practice, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
A.J.H.M Beurskens
- Hogeschool Zuyd, University of Professional Education, Heerlen, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
IJ. Kant
- Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
G.C.L. Davey
- Psychology Group, School of Cognitive and Computing Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
A.P. Field
- Psychology Group, School of Cognitive and Computing Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
C.P. van Schayck
- Department of General Practice, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

Received 12 August 2002; accepted 23 September 2003.

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to explore cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between pathological worry and fatigue in a working population.

Methods

In employees with very low or very high fatigue levels, psychometrics of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ; measuring pathological worry) and the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS; measuring fatigue) were examined and their cross-sectional and longitudinal associations were explored.

Results

Pathological worry and fatigue can be measured as different constructs. However, pathological worry and fatigue were also associated on a cross-sectional level. Pathological worry predicted fatigue level 10 months later, but this association disappeared after adjustment for the cross-sectional association between pathological worry and fatigue.

Conclusion

Although they can be measured as different constructs, pathological worry and fatigue seem to be associated. When studying longitudinal relations between pathological worry and fatigue, their cross-sectional association should be taken into account. Pathological worry might not be a risk factor for fatigue per se, but might act more like a mediating factor.

Keywords: Employees, Epidemiology, Fatigue, Pathological worry, Prospective study, Questionnaires