Are migraineur women really more vulnerable to stress and less able to cope?
BACKGROUND
In this study, we aimed to investigate the differences between a sample of migraineurs and non-migraineurs with regard to their stress symptoms, tendency to stress, coping styles and life satisfaction.


METHODS
This study was carried out on a migraineur group (n = 62, mean age: 37.5 +/- 11.3, range: 18 to 61 years) and a non-migraineur group (n = 58, mean age: 32.0 +/- 11.2, range: 18 to 61 years). Stress Audit (Symptoms), Stress Audit (Vulnerability), Turkish version of Ways of Coping Inventory Scales and Life Satisfaction were applied to the migraineur and non-migraineur groups.


RESULTS
No significant differences were found between the groups in the scores of the stress symptoms except in the sub scores of the sympathetic system. There was no significant difference between the groups in the tendency to stress and life satisfaction (p > .05). For scores of the coping styles, the mean scores of the seeking social support subscale was higher in the control group than that of the migraineur group. However, migraineur women had higher mean scores in the submissive and the optimistic subscales.


CONCLUSIONS
We consider that, these outcomes may emphasize the necessity to be careful when using negative expressions about stress relating to migraineurs. Further comprehensive studies are required considering the multiple triggers of the disease in various cultural contexts.
Hacettepe University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, 06100, Ankara, Turkey. mintaze@hacettepe.edu.tr
Mintaze Kerem
MK
Gunel
Fatma Yildirim
FY
Akkaya
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D035061:Control Groups; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012008:Recurrence; D012649:Self Concept; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult