Background Self-report data collected through interviews has been one of the primary ways of assessing symptoms of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). An alternative way to collect data involves activity logs, which involves patients writing down the pattern, intensity, and qualitative nature of activity over several days. Aims We examined the associations between activity, evaluation of activity and symptoms. Methods Activity log data over a two day period of time were used in the present study using a sample of patients with diagnosed CFS. Results Findings indicated that the percent of time spent feeling fatigued was positively associated with a higher percent of time in pain and doing activities that were fatiguing. However, time spent in meaningful activities was associated with less fatigue. Conclusions These findings and others suggest that activity logs can provide investigators and clinicians with valuable sources of data for understanding patterns of behavior and activity among patients with CFS.

This qualitative study examined women assuming leadership roles in Oxford Houses, which are communal, democratically run recovery settings for substance use disorder. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 women Oxford House leaders who shared their thoughts and experiences on leadership. Several themes emerged from qualitative data analysis, most notably that stepping up and accepting a leadership role in Oxford House had a positive effect on self-esteem, which is vital to women with a history of substance abuse. Barriers to leadership were also identified such as negative interpersonal relationships with other women. A number of methods mentioned to increase the number of women leaders included: developing workshops, providing positive encouragement, and accessing existing female role models. The implications of this study are discussed.