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Complexities in life stress-dysfunction relationships: a case in point--tension headache.
C A Hovanitz1, K Chin, J S Warm
1Department of Psychology, University of Cincinnati, Ohio 45221.
Journal of Behavioral Medicine
|February 1, 1989
Summary
This study supports Schwartz's disregulation model in tension headaches. It suggests that stress and life stress disregulation can lead to physical dysfunction, challenging reliance on self-report measures.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Tension headaches are common, and their link to stress is often assumed.
- Schwartz's disregulation model proposes that physiological dysregulation plays a key role in stress-related physical symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of disregulation in tension headache.
- To examine how disregulation might lead to incorrect conclusions about stress as a cause of tension headaches.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 50 participants (25 with tension headaches, 25 controls) aged 10-30.
- Measured self-reported stress, headache status, vigilance performance, frontalis EMG, and peripheral temperature.
- Assessed participants before, during, and after a stressful vigilance task.
Main Results:
- Found evidence supporting Schwartz's disregulation model.
- Observed disregulation in both self-reported acute and life stress.
- Indicated that self-report measures of life stress may obscure the link between life events and physical dysfunction.
Conclusions:
- Disregulation appears to be a significant factor in tension headaches.
- Over-reliance on self-report stress measures may hinder understanding of stress-induced physical problems.
- The findings support the utility of the disregulation model in explaining stress-related physical outcomes.