Temperament traits of children with episodic tension-type headaches.

BACKGROUND

The association between headache and stress is discussed. A powerful source of stress and the ways of relation between stress and headache can differed. The individual vulnerability to stress may be related to one's temperament.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the role of temperament traits in children with episodic tension-type headaches (ETTH).

METHODS

We examined 120 children, 6-16 years of age, in the Department of Developmental Neurology of the Medical University of Gdansk. All children were diagnosed with ETTH. The control group consisted of 60 age-matched children without headaches. The following instruments of assessment were used: survey-interview, EAS Temperament Survey (Buss and Plomin), and Stress Response Scale (Chandler). The results were evaluated using statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Our results showed differences in temperament traits in children with ETTH compared to children without headaches. The former demonstrated greater temperament instability, i.e., higher emotionality, an intensified level of fear, a lower level of vigour, and a higher level of shyness compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION

Children with ETTH have some different traits than children without headache.