Psychosocial factors associated with headache in junior high school students

Author(s): Smith, M. S., McMahon, R. J.

Journal/Book: J Pediat Psychol. 1999; 24: Journals Dept, 2001 Evans Rd, Cary, NC 27513, USA. Oxford Univ Press Inc. 13-23.

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the relationship between headache frequency and psychosocial factors including anxiety, depression, somatization, and functional status in a sample of junior high school students. Methods: Students first completed a screening questionnaire investigating headache history and treatment sought. Six hundred and fifty-two students (73%) returned valid questionnaires. Students were classified according to headache frequency. The relationship between headache variables and psychosocial factors was evaluated in a subsample (frequent headache: 17 boys, 14 girls; infrequent headache: 14 boys, 18 girls). Self-report measures included the Children's Depression Inventory, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Children's Somatization Inventory, and the Medical Outcome Study-SF-36. Results: Results indicate that a nonclinical sample of students reporting frequent headaches endorse more symptoms of anxiety, depression, somatization, and functional disability than a matched sample of students with infrequent or no headache. Conclusions: Long-term consequences of this decreased psychosocial functioning likely exist for students with frequent headaches. Further research with an emphasis on target areas for intervention is warranted.

Note: Article Smith MS, Childrens Hosp & Med Ctr, CH-02, POB 5371, Seattle,WA 98105 USA

Keyword(s): headache; children; adolescents; depression; anxiety; somatization; functional disability; ADOLESCENT HEADACHE; PEDIATRIC MIGRAINE; SCHOOLCHILDREN; PREVALENCE; CHILDHOOD; CHILDREN; DEPRESSION; COMPLAINTS; SYMPTOMS; LIFE

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