Emotional approach coping and self-efficacy moderate the effects of written emotional disclosure and relaxation training for people with migraine headaches.
OBJECTIVE
We tested whether emotional skills and headache management self-efficacy (HMSE) moderated effects of written emotional disclosure (WED) compared with control writing and a different intervention, relaxation training (RT).


METHODS
Undergraduates with migraine headaches reported emotional approach coping (EAC) and HMSE; were randomized to WED, RT, or control; and assessed on health measures at baseline and 3-month follow-up.


RESULTS
Greater EAC predicted improvement following WED compared with RT and control, whereas low HMSE predicted improvement following both WED and RT, compared with control.


CONCLUSIONS
Emotional skill may specifically - and low health management self-efficacy may generally - predict positive responses to WED.
Kraft
Christina A
CA
Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA.
Lumley
Mark A
MA
D'Souza
Pamela J
PJ
Dooley
John A
JA
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000339:Affect; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D033262:Narration; D012063:Relaxation; D012650:Self Disclosure; D020377:Self Efficacy; D014956:Writing