Psychological disorders, adverse childhood experiences and parental psychiatric disorders in children affected by headache: A systematic review

Daniela Polese; Arianna Belli; Dario Esposito; Melania Evangelisti; Anna Luchetti; Giovanni Di Nardo; Pasquale Parisi; Oliviero Bruni

doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104798

Psychological disorders, adverse childhood experiences and parental psychiatric disorders in children affected by headache: A systematic review

Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2022 Sep:140:104798. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104798. Epub 2022 Jul 27.

Authors

Daniela Polese¹, Arianna Belli², Dario Esposito², Melania Evangelisti³, Anna Luchetti⁴, Giovanni Di Nardo³, Pasquale Parisi³, Oliviero Bruni⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), "Sapienza" University of Rome, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa, 1035-1039, 00189,, Rome, Italy.
² Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sabelli 108, 00185 Rome, Italy.
³ Chair of Pediatrics, NESMOS Department, Faculty of Medicine & Psychology, Sapienza University c/o Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa, 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy.
⁴ "Sapienza" University of Rome, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa, 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy.
⁵ Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), "Sapienza" University of Rome, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa, 1035-1039, 00189,, Rome, Italy; Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Sapienza University, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: oliviero.bruni@uniroma1.it.

PMID: 35907492
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104798

Abstract

Background: Pediatric headaches have been linked to adverse life events or psychological factors in children and their families, with a complex and bidirectional association. Moreover, it is well-known that psychological stress can trigger headaches.

Methods: We searched three databases for studies focusing on headaches and adverse events or psychological factors in children up to 12 years old or in their caregivers.

Results: We included 28 studies. Child psychological factors, including internal and external symptoms, were commonly associated with all types of headaches. Sleep disturbances showed a positive association with headaches in 3 out of 5 studies. Family conflict and unhappiness were frequently found in children suffering with headaches, while single-parent families and divorce were not associated. Stressful environments and adverse life events, particularly bullying, were also found to be linked with headaches.

Conclusions: Childhood headaches represent an alarm bell for clinicians to investigate and treat psychological or psychiatric disorders in children and their family. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of early-life adverse events in children and their families.

Keywords: Adverse childhood experiences, ACEs; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD; Bullying; Childhood; Headache; Inattention; Migraine; Parents; Psychiatric disorders; Psychological symptoms; School stress.

Publication types

Review
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Adverse Childhood Experiences*
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity*
Child
Headache
Humans
Mental Disorders*
Parents
Stress, Psychological