title: Headache activity in children and adolescents.
abstract: We examined headache activity in 900 Australian youth aged 10-18, using a self-report questionnaire. Headache prevalence, duration, severity, symptomatology and precipitants were examined, as well as the self-statements and coping responses of children. Headaches were experienced by most children, and girls reported more frequent headaches than boys. Common headache symptoms included those traditionally associated with muscle-contraction headache and migraine. Some children reported that they found headaches to be a terrible experience and 'wished they would die' during a headache. Of the various coping responses that were endorsed, the use of medication was the most frequent. Methodological problems include the reliability and validity of self-report data, and the limitations of cross-sectional investigations.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Sharpley
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012648:Self Care; D012651:Self Medication; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology