Date of Award

1-12-1996

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Jeff Holm

Abstract

This study investigated possible differences between chronic post-traumatic headache sufferers and primary headache sufferers on the following Variables: headache symptoms, coping behaviors, and family environment. The subjects were recruited from a neuropsychology clinic in Fargo, ND and a headache clinic in Jackson, MS. Upon their agreement and after having met the inclusion criteria for this study, subjects completed an interview with their clinician to assess their headache symptoms. Subjects also completed the following questionnaires: Headache-specific Locus of Control, Coping Strategies Inventory, Coping Strategies Questionnaire, and the Family Environment Scale. Discriminant analyses were used to determine whether group membership could be accurately predicted.Results indicated that a patient's age and level of education were substantial predictors of group membership as were cognitive coping and emotion stasis coping strategies. The Expressiveness, Cohesion, and Achievement Orientation sub-scales of the Family Environment Scale were also useful predictors of group membership. The cross validation indicated shrinkage in accuracy of group-membership prediction based upon above predictor variables. The results are tentative at this time but merit further investigation.

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