Coping strategies in children with headaches

Objective: To examine the differences between three groups of subjects: 1) children with headaches in pediatric care, 2) nonclinical headachers, and 3) healthy controls, in seven, different aspects of coping strategies (Problem Solving, Expressing Feelings, Avoidance, Distraction, Social Support- Friends, Social Support – Family, Cognitive Restructuring). Method: The sample consisted of 144 schoolchildren: 43 patients with headaches as a primary complaint, 59 headachers recruited from the general population, and 42 healthy children and adolescents in control group. Coping strategies were measured with SUO- The Coping Strategies Inventory for Children and Adolescents. SUO is the self-assessment instrument that measures the frequency and effectiveness of coping strategies in response to stressful events. Children’ s headache problems were rated by experienced pediatric specialist. Results: Significant differences were found in four of seven coping strategies: in stress situations avoidance, distraction and seeking support from family were more common in children with clinical and nonclinical headaches, and expressing feelings were more common in nonclinical headachers. Significant gender differences were found only for the nonclinical headachers group in three coping strategies: Problem Solving, Social Support – Family and Cognitive Restructuring. In both cases girls scored higher than boys. Conclusions: Clinicians might benefit from routine screening of coping with stressful life events in children with headaches. Prevention and treatment of illness related problems requires helping children changing the methods they use to cope with stressors.