Creating New Conceptual Defi nitions
In the qualitative studies conducted for this project, charts
were constructed to show the ways in which the six key domains
were manifested in each study population as participants
moved among tiredness, fatigue, and exhaustion. Consistent
with the defi nition of tiredness, participants in all fi ve study
populations reported that changes in the domains of sleep
quality, stamina, cognition, and emotional reactivity occurred
fi rst. This state was labeled tiredness. Participants noted that decreased control over body processes and reduced social
interaction were associated with further qualitative declines in
the fi rst four domains. This state was labeled fatigue. Many, but
not all, participants in each of the populations reported a third
qualitative decline, labeled exhaustion.