PhD conferral Ms Tessa Westendorp, MSc.

”Social Participation and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adolescents with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain or Chronic Fatigue”

Keywords: young people, chronic pain/fatigue, clinical rehabilitation, long-term functioning

Young people who are severely limited in their daily functioning due to chronic pain or fatigue receive treatment in the form of rehabilitation. Clinical changes during treatment can be determined quite easily by administering a quality of life survey. This dissertation found that a clinical rehabilitation approach proved successful for half of the participating young people. Boys, young people with severe symptoms, and young people who deal with their symptoms passively benefit the most from this treatment. Ten years after the treatment, two-thirds of this group (now young adults) still experience symptoms, but are able to function and participate reasonably well in society.