Psychometric properties of the Cognitive and Behavioural Responses Questionnaire (CBRQ) in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome

M. E. Loades, S. Vitoratou, K. A. Rimes, S. Ali, T. Chalder*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: To better understand the maintenance of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a valid and reliable measure of cognitive and behavioural responses to symptoms is required. Such a measure could also assess beliefs and coping behaviours in the context of fatigue in other somatic conditions.Aims: We aimed to establish the psychometric properties of both the Cognitive and Behavioural Responses Questionnaire (CBRQ) and its shortened version (CBRQ-S) in adolescents with CFS.Method: The full questionnaire was completed by a clinical cohort of adolescents (n = 121) presenting to specialist CFS units in the UK.Results: Both the CBRQ and CBRQ-S had good internal consistency. The CBRQ scores were strongly associated with depression, anxiety, school and social functioning, but weakly associated with fatigue and physical functioning, providing evidence of validity.Conclusion: Both the 40-item and the 18-item versions of the CBRQ were found to be reliable and valid in adolescents with CFS. To minimize unnecessary burden, the 18-item version is favoured. Using this assessment tool in future studies, including intervention studies, may help to better target interventions during clinical practice and improve outcomes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)160-171
Number of pages12
JournalBehavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy
Volume48
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2020
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology

Keywords

  • adolescents
  • behavioural
  • CFS
  • cognitive
  • psychometric

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