The Family Impact of Pediatric Migraine

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to describe the impact of pediatric migraine on parents and families. Methods: This study is the primary analysis of a cross-sectional online survey study. Seventy-seven parents of children and adolescents with a migraine diagnosis were recruited from the University of California – San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospital Child and Adolescent Headache Program. Participants completed information regarding demographics, headache features, migraine disability (PedMIDAS), caregiving stress (University of Washington Caregiver Stress Scale), and family functioning (McMaster Family Assessment Device). Results: Caregivers endorsed stress secondary to migraine caregiving, and 23.4% of parents (37.9% of parents of children with chronic migraine) endorsed elevated caregiving stress. Caregiving stress was increased in parents of children with chronic migraine frequency and children with moderate-severe migraine disability. Caregiving stress mediated the relationship between headache frequency and Family Assessment Device – Roles, Problem Solving, and Communication. Caregiving stress mediated the relationship between headache disability and Family Assessment Device – Roles. Conclusion: Parents of children and adolescents with migraine experience a high level of caregiving stress. Caregiver stress is a contributor to overall family functioning. Offering family-based support services to families of children with chronic migraine frequency or moderate-severe migraine disability may support increased resilience in families of children with migraine.