Chronic tension-type headache: an investigation of the appraisal process.
The few existing studies that have explicitly examined appraisal of stress in tension-type headache sufferers have found that these individuals perceive events in a more negative manner than headache-free controls. However, can it necessarily be assumed that they perceive events in a less accurate manner than headache-free controls? To answer this question, sixty chronic tension-type headache sufferers and 60 controls engaged in a 40-trial contingency learning task in which they had to estimate the amount of control they could exert. Results provide little support for the notion that the cognitive appraisal of tension-type headache sufferers is more accurate than that of headache-free individuals. However, differences were found in perceived control when behavioral involvement was considered. This result is discussed in terms of learned helplessness theory.
Kearney
J M
JM
Department of Psychology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks 58202.
Holm
J E
JE
Kearney
M L
ML
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003071:Cognition; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D010465:Perception; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*