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Published on: June 2, 2014
Behavioral assessment of chronic headaches in children
Insights
Pediatric headache communication between children and mothers was explored. This study offers guidelines for nurses managing chronic pediatric headaches based on observed pain behaviors and parental responses.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Child Psychology
- Nursing Practice
Background:
- Headache is a frequent complaint in children and adolescents.
- Understanding pediatric headache phenomenology is limited.
- Parental reports of pain behaviors influence diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how children with chronic headaches communicate pain to mothers.
- To examine maternal responses to suspected pediatric headaches.
- To provide guidance for nurses in assessing and managing pediatric headaches.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study exploring communication patterns.
- Focus on children with chronic, recurrent nonmalignant headaches.
- Analysis of mother-child interactions regarding headache occurrences.
Main Results:
- Identified specific communication methods used by children.
- Described various maternal assessment and response strategies.
- Highlighted the role of parental perception in headache management.
Conclusions:
- Parental assessment significantly impacts pediatric headache management.
- Nurses require enhanced behavioral assessment skills for pediatric headaches.
- Guidelines are proposed for improved clinical practice and patient care.
Abstract:
Although headache is one of the most common somatic complaints of children and adolescents, little is known about its phenomenology. Pediatric headache diagnosis and implications for treatment are often based on parental reports of consequent pain behaviors. Information on how parents assess and respond to children's headache activity is needed. This study identified how children with chronic, recurrent nonmalignant headaches communicated their headache occurrences to their mothers and how mothers responded to suspected headache occurrences. Specific guidelines are offered to assist nurses in the behavioral assessment and management of chronic pediatric headaches.
