Coping with pediatric migraine: Differences between copers and non-copers

The differences among pain-coping behaviors of latency-aged children with pediatric migraine are examined. Using scores from The Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach & Edelbrock, 1983) and school absenteeism, eight children were categorized as either adaptive or maladaptive copers. Results of this exploratory study indicated that copers utilized a greater repertoire of coping behaviors, relied more heavily on resignation, anticipatory, and prevention coping, exercised more autonomy, and viewed themselves as healthier and more competent than did the non-copers. Implications for differential diagnosis, strategies of intervention, and future research are discussed.