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Parent–Teen Interactions as Predictors of Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents with Headache

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Abstract

This study investigated parent–adolescent conflict, family functioning, and adolescent autonomy as predictors of depressive symptoms in adolescents with primary headache. Frequent headaches during adolescence can have a negative impact on activity levels and psychological functioning. Depression is particularly prevalent in adolescents with headache but little research has examined the role of parent–teen interactions in predicting depressive symptoms. Thirty adolescents diagnosed with migraine or chronic daily headache completed self-report measures of pain intensity, parent–adolescent conflict, family functioning, and depression. Adolescents and their parents also participated in three videotaped interaction tasks, scored by independent raters to assess adolescent autonomy. Regression models revealed that pain intensity, parent–adolescent conflict, and autonomy predicted depressive symptoms. Higher levels of conflict, poorer family functioning and lower levels of autonomy were associated with more depressive symptoms. This study highlights the association between parent–teen interactions and psychological functioning in adolescents with primary headache. Implications for intervention are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Case Western Reserve University, Mather Memorial Building, #109, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44106-7123, USA

    Amy S. Lewandowski

  2. Department of Anesthesiology and Peri-Operative Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA

    Tonya M. Palermo

Authors
  1. Amy S. Lewandowski
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  2. Tonya M. Palermo
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Correspondence to Amy S. Lewandowski.

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Lewandowski, A.S., Palermo, T.M. Parent–Teen Interactions as Predictors of Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents with Headache. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 16, 331–338 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-009-9173-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-009-9173-8

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