Quality of life in children with headache

Dickson, Clare (2002) Quality of life in children with headache. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

The investigation into headache-related quality of life (QoL) in children and adolescents has only recently started and there have been calls to help unravel this complex relationship by several authors. This dissertation therefore aimed to contribute to this set objective. Firstly, the review paper examined the existing literature on the relationship between headache in children and QoL, and the variables that might influence such a relationship. It was found that children with headache were likely to experience some degree of impairment in terms of psychological, physical and social functioning. Initial findings illustrated that adolescents with headache experienced a poorer overall QoL compared to headache-free peers and those with other painful conditions. Yet, given the currently limited number of studies available, several avenues for further research into the QoL of children with headache were highlighted. The empirical paper subsequently focused on investigating some of these avenues. The results revealed that a clinical group of children and adolescents with headache reported a poorer QoL compared to age- and gender-matched peers without headache. Parents generally reported a more positive picture compared to their children. Depression, global self-esteem and coping responses were found to be mediators of the headache-QoL link. It was therefore possible to suggest treatment plans that might act to improve the QoL of children with headache and to outline future research topics.

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