Relationship between levels of perceived stress and social support of adolescents with primary headache

This study's overall objective is to determine whether the stress and social support levels of adolescents with primary headache diagnosed according to the International Headache Society (IHS) 's "Headache Disorders International Classification" (ICHD-IIR1) meeting the criteria, differs significantly according to their age, gender, socio-economic status and academic achievement. The study sample consists of 395 students selected from a total group of 442 which are continuing their studies in Adnan Menderes Anatolian High School, Istanbul Bahçelievler 10,11, 12. classes. In the research, the data collection tools that are used are; headache classification of the latest classification system, which is the ICHD-II diagnostic criteria, Perceived Stress Scale translated by Erci (2005), Social support Scale prepared by Torun (1995) with utilizing the scale developed by Kreps (1993) and Personal Information Form used to gather information about the arguments made by the researcher.. In the study obtained data have been assessed by the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Analysis to determine relationships between variables, in groups of two independent samples t-test, for more than two groups One-Way Variance Analysis and for categorical variables chi-square test. As a result of the analysis it was concluded that there is in a negative direction high and significant relationship between adolescent stress and social support levels. As a result of the sub-analysis of this study, it was determined that there are significant differentiation between the dependent variable stress and qualitative variable headache. No statistical relationship has been found between the two qualitative variables, headache in adolescents and headache of family members. However no significant differentiation has been identified between social support, the dependent variable and headache. Although there is a significant differentiation between stress and gender, income level, academic achievement, no differentiation exists between stress and age. Besides, although there is a significant differentiation between the dependent variable social support and income level and academic achievement, no differentiation has been identified for gender and age variables. Key Words : Perceived Stres,Social Support, Primary Headache, Adolescence