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The Role of Type A Behaviour Pattern in Chronic Headache

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2014

Joel J. Hillhouse ,
Edward B. Blanchard ,
Kenneth A. Appelbaum  and
Cynthia Kirsch
Joel J. Hillhouse
Affiliation:
Center for Stress and Anxiety Disorders, University at Albany, State University of New York
Edward B. Blanchard*
Affiliation:
Center for Stress and Anxiety Disorders, University at Albany, State University of New York
Kenneth A. Appelbaum
Affiliation:
Center for Stress and Anxiety Disorders, University at Albany, State University of New York
Cynthia Kirsch
Affiliation:
Center for Stress and Anxiety Disorders, University at Albany, State University of New York
*
Center for Stress and Anxiety Disorders, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1535 Western Avenue, Albany, New York 12203, U.S.A.
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Abstract

Chronic headache sufferers (N = 133) were assessed for Type A behaviour pattern using the Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS). The Type A score frequency distribution for all headache subjects combined, and each headache type separately were examined. Median scores of the all subjects combined group fell into the indeterminate range of Type A scores, that is, neither Type A or Type B. This was also the case for migraine and tension sufferers. Mixed subject's scores fell into the range of scores usually classified as Type A. Forty-five percent of the mixed subjects fit the criteria for Type A behaviour pattern. Follow-up bivariate and multivariate analysis using J AS subscale scores as independent predictors and headache activity scores, from daily diaries, as dependent variables revealed only three correlations which approached significance. These results argue against a clear linear relationship between chronic headache and Type A behaviour pattern. There may be some utility in this construct when differentiated by headache type.

Type
Research Article
Information
Behaviour Change , Volume 5 , Issue 1 , March 1988 , pp. 3 - 8
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 1988

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References

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