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Neuropediatrics
DOI: 10.1055/a-2595-0501
Original Article

Difficulties in Emotion Regulation and Psychiatric Symptoms in Adolescents Diagnosed with Migraine: A Case-Control Study

Gülsüm Yitik Tonkaz 
1   Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Giresun University, Faculty of Medicine, Giresun, Türkiye
,
Şeyda Arslan 
2   Family Medicine Clinic, Bulancak State Hospital, Giresun, Türkiye
,
Gökhan Tonkaz 
3   Radiology Department, Giresun University, Faculty of Medicine, Giresun, Türkiye
,
Ali Çakir 
4   Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic, Erzurum Regional Training and Research Hospital, Erzurum, Türkiye
,
Serdar Saritaş 
5   Pediatric Neurology Clinic, Bursa Dortcelik Pediatric Disease Hospital, Bursa, Türkiye
,
Aysun Hacer Saritaş 
6   Pediatri Clinic, Bursa Jimer Hospital, Bursa, Türkiye
› Author Affiliations
Funding None.
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Abstract

Introduction

This study aims to evaluate difficulties in emotion regulation and accompanying psychiatric symptoms in adolescents diagnosed with migraine.

Methods

The study included 30 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years diagnosed with migraine and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Participants were assessed using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-16), the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents (ERQ-CA), and the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS). Additionally, parents completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).

Results

Adolescents with migraine showed significantly greater difficulties in emotion regulation (DERS-16 total score, t = 3.521, p = 0.026, effect size = 0.64) and higher levels of depression, generalized anxiety and social anxiety (RCADS score t = 4.328, effect size = 1.32, p < 0.01; t = 2.354, effect size = 0.59, p = 0.022; t = 3.363, effect size = 1.12, p < 0.01, respectively) compared to controls. Parental assessments indicated higher internalizing and total difficulty scores in the migraine group (SDQ score z = 2.633, effect size = 048, p = 0.008; t = 2.419, effect size = 032, p = 0.016; t = 2.095, effect size = 029, p = 0.036, respectively). However, there were no significant group differences in the use of emotion regulation strategies (ERQ-CA score t = −0.236, p = 0.814; t = −0.957, p = 0.104, respectively).

Conclusion

This study highlights the psychological and emotional difficulties experienced by adolescents with migraine, emphasizing the importance of early psychiatric evaluation and psychotherapeutic interventions aimed at improving emotion regulation skills and psychosocial interventions focusing on lifestyle modifications as part of comprehensive migraine management. Limitations include the cross-sectional design, reliance on self-report measures, and modest sample size, which may limit generalizability. Future longitudinal and neurobiologically informed research is needed to clarify causal relationships and intervention targets.

Keywords

adolescent - anxiety - depression - emotion regulation - migraine

Authors' Contributions

The study was planned by G.Y.T., S.S., G.T., and A.Ç. G.Y.T., S.S., A.H.S., and S.A. collected data. G.Y.T., G.T., and S.A. contributed to the analysis and interpretation of the data drafted the article, and revised it. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.


The study was performed in compliance with ethical standards by the ethics committee of the Health Sciences University Erzurum Regional Training and Research Hospital (2022/06-52).




Publication History

Received: 03 March 2025

Accepted: 24 April 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
28 April 2025

Article published online:
08 May 2025

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