Do experienced stress and trait negative affectivity moderate the relationship between headache and quality of life in adolescents?

Objective: To test the moderating effects of trait negative affectivity (NA) and experienced stress (ES) on the interrelation between headache and health-related quality of life (HQL) in adolescents. Method: Participants with migraine or with no-migraine primary headache (n = 64) were selected from the total population of two secondary schools (N = 1,566). Across a 4-week interval, participants completed a headache and stress diary and an HQL questionnaire. Additionally, a neuroticism scale was completed as a measure for NA. Results: Independent of negative affectivity and stress, headache was found to affect these HQL domains: functional status, satisfaction with life in general, and satisfaction with health. The ES moderated the effect of headache on psychological functioning and satisfaction with life in general. Conclusions: Headache activity in adolescents leads to a lower functional status, health satisfaction, and life satisfaction. The effect of headache on life satisfaction is greater in adolescents who experience high levels of stress.