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Table 4 Qualitative categories of non-work stressors

From: Self-reported stressors among patients with Exhaustion Disorder: an exploratory study of patient records

Non-work stressors

Categories

Explanation

 

Death of a family member

Loss of parent, sibling, grandparent, ex-partner or a sibling-in-law. Varying time has passed since the loss, but it is reported to be a stressor related to the current exhaustion. Some patients reported more than one loss as a reason, and one patient had experienced three losses that were reported as being related to his/her exhaustion.

Caring for a family member

When caring for an adult or child in the family with 1) a somatic condition such as meningitis, diabetes, asthma or cancer, or 2) a mental/psychiatric condition such as ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), Asperger’s Syndrome, depression, bipolar disorder, self-injurious or suicidal behaviours and acting out behaviours.

Single parent

Having sole responsibility for one’s children.

Relational conflicts

Conflicts with family members such as partner, child, parents, parents-in-law, ex-partners or siblings.

Separation

When a separation was reported as a factor contributing to the current exhaustion. The separations were dated from two months up to ten years back in time.

Change in family composition

Stressors related to gaining new family members or having a family member move out

Worries about one’s health

Extensive worry about ones own health, in some cases due to having a hereditary fatal disease in the family.

Personal injury or illness

Exceptional worries due to the patient suffering from chronic illness such as diabetes, herpes zoster, cervical cell changes, benign paroxysmal, urticaria, or suffering from the aftermath of a miscarriage or a fall trauma.

Financial worries

For example financial worries due to being unemployed or having temporary jobs

Residential stressor

Stressors related to a change in housing situation, i.e. moving or building a new house or a stressor related to having practical problems with one’s residence, i.e. repairs or construction work.

Voluntary engagement in associations

Having an overload of voluntary engagements in associations, sports clubs etc.

Legal matter

Legal conflict or similar ongoing process.

Loneliness

Experiencing living alone/not having a partner as a stressor.