The Relationship Between Tension-Type Headaches and Stress in Mothers of Children with Special Needs

Naura Syafaatul Syakhsiyah; Siti Istiqomah; Lourensya Berta Joharlina; Noorjanah Pujiastuti

doi:10.55227/ijhet.v4i4.455

Authors

Naura Syafaatul Syakhsiyah Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang
Siti Istiqomah Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang
Lourensya Berta Joharlina Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang
Noorjanah Pujiastuti Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55227/ijhet.v4i4.455

Keywords:

Caregiver Stress, Epidemiology, Headache Disorders, Mothers, Tension-Type Headache

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between tension-type headache (TTH) and stress in mothers of children with special needs. Stress levels in these mothers are often heightened due to caregiving challenges and social factors. An analytical observational cross-sectional design was employed involving 50 mothers from a special needs school in Semarang using total sampling. Data were collected via validated questionnaires measuring stress with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and TTH based on International Headache Society criteria. The chi-square test analyzed associations between variables. Results indicated that 68.9% of mothers experienced TTH, while 73.3% had moderate stress levels. A significant correlation between stress and TTH occurrence was found (p = 0.017), with higher stress increasing the likelihood of TTH. The findings suggest that stress management interventions are essential to reduce headache prevalence and improve maternal wellbeing

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