Temperament concomitants of migraine

M.A.While some studies have found reciprocity between migraine and temperament other studies have found that temperament does not play a role in migraine. Research results regarding the relationship between migraine and temperament are therefore contradictory. The motivation for the present study is based on the various contradictions and methodological problems of these studies. The aim is to ascertain if there are statistically significant differences between three groups of subjects namely: 1. Clients with Frequent Migraine (N=10) 2. Clients with Less Frequent Migraine (N=10) 3. Healthy Subjects (N=10) regarding a number of temperament dimensions, specifically: 1. The five subscales of the NEO PI-R (Costa & McCrae) • Neuroticism • Extraversion • Openness • Agreeableness • Conscientiousness 2. The four subscales of the Sensation Seeking Scale (Zuckerman, 1979) • Thrill and Adventure Seeking • Experience Seeking • Disinhibition • Boredom Susceptibility 3. The three subscales of the Pavlovian Temperament Survey (1992) • Strength of Excitation • Strength of Inhibition • Mobility of Nervous Processes 4. The two subscales of the IPAT Anxiety Scale (Cattell, Scheier, & Madge, 1995) • Overt Anxiety • Covert Anxiety The general aim of the present study is to provide substantial research data on the specific theory of temperament and its role in migraine. The theories of Pavlov, Eysenck, Strelau, and Zuckerman offer a theoretical framework for the conceptualisation of temperament. There are indications that certain temperament traits such as, neuroticism, extraversion, anxiety, Type A behaviour, and depression are associated with migraine (Arena, Andrasik & Blanchard, 1985; Rappaport, McAnulty & Brandtley, 1988; Rangaswami, 1983). In contrast to the above studies there are also studies which could not establish a link between migraine and certain temperament traits (Blaszczynski, 1984; Hundleby & Loucks, 1985; Schmidt, Faye, Carney & Fitzsimmons, 1987). Psychology students at the Rand Afrikaans University were chosen as a target group. The subjects had to complete a biographical questionnaire to establish whether they suffered from migraine. From an original group of 122, 30 subjects who met the criteria were selected. These subjects were then divided into three groups namely, Group 1 (Frequent Migraine), Group 2 (Less Frequent Migraine), and Group 3 (Healthy Subjects). The groups were then asked to complete four questionnaires, namely, the NEO PI-R (Costa & McCrae, 1992), the Sensation Seeking Scale (Zuckerman, 1979), the Pavlovian Temperament Survey (1992), and the IPAT Anxiety Scale (Cattell, Scheier, & Madge, 1995). Based on various studies done on the relationship between migraine and temperament, the research question can be formulated as follows. Are there significant differences in certain temperament traits between subjects suffering from frequent migraine, subjects suffering from less frequent migraine, and healthy subjects, regarding their scores on the NEO PI-R, the Sensation Seeking Scale, the Pavlovian Temperament Survey, and the IPAT Anxiety Scale. Statistical analytical techniques, including the MANOVA, ANOVA, and the Scheffe tests, were applied to establish whether there were statistically significant differences between the three groups regarding their scores on the four measuring instruments used. According to the results there were no statistically significant differences between the three groups regarding their vectors of averages on the various subscales of the four measuring instruments. The results are interpreted against the background of studies reported in the literature which also found no association between migraine and temperament. The present study is evaluated with reference to the small sample size and large number of measurements. Recommendations for future research include selecting a large test sample to enable a statistically significant distinction between the various groups. The use of other personality inventories standardised for South African subjects to test other temperament or personality traits is also recommended. Future research could possibly define groups according to other psychosomatic illnesses such as irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, and high blood pressure and establish the possible relationship with certain temperament traits. The measuring of a wide spectrum of temperament and personality traits in order to ascertain the influence of these traits on migraine will provide more of a total picture. Also, the development of a measuring instrument for the diagnosis of migraine that will provide more valid and realistic data on the perception of migraine and also distinguish between migraine and other types of headache, would be useful