Elements of Neuroticism in Relation to Headache Symptomatology

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to ascertain which elements within the factor of Neuroticism are related to headache symptomatology. Consequently, scores on individual items of 2 Neuroticism scales were correlated with headache questions. The first was the Neuroticism scale of Eysenck's Improved Short Questionnaire which was given, along with 20 questions about headaches, to 500 university students. The second was the Neurotic Anxiety scale of the Adjective Self-description scales which was administered, along with 7 questions about headaches, to 400 university undergraduates. Both tension and migraine symptomatology were found to be related to the “tension” items of the Neuroticism scales. Migraine was found to be related to cycles of mood. Neither type of headache was found to be especially related to Depression. The relationship of headache symptomatology to Neuroticism appears to be slight but direct.