Chronic tension-type headache in school-aged children--personality traits and behavior

Basic personality traits and specific behavior characteristics were assess in 39 patients (12 to 15 years old) having chronic tension-type headache. Patients were referred for clinical examination to the Neural-pediatrics Ward of the Department of Pediatrics, Osijek, Croatia. Eysenck Personality Questionnaire--Juniors (EPQ-J), a new Croatian personality Questionnaire of domination, aggression, introversion and ambition (DAIA), were applied for the testing. The scores obtained by patients in personality questionnaires were compared with averages scores normal sample of healthy pupil same ages. Our patients were found to have no signs of emotional instability. Their behavior is prosocial, nonaggressive, and ambitious, aimed at the achievement of superior results at school and life although already quite successful in their studies. Tensions arising from the school setting seem to be important factors triggering tension-type headaches.