Family Structure and Headaches of Housewives

Abstract

Previously, we reported that a high incidence of headaches was found in housewives without any part-time job, when compared with those who were employed. The former may be under more stress than the latter. The effect of family structure on the incidence of headache was studied at this time. Incidence of headache in housewives in the basic type of family composed of husband, wife, and kids only was compared with that of the complex type in which parents or other relatives were also included. A high prevalence of tension type headaches was found in housewives in the complex type family. As housewives' headaches are influenced by stress in the family, the incidence of housewives' headaches may be increased in the complex family structure. As these problems in working style or family structure are a matter of concern to occupational therapists, we proposed that our professional advice might be of worth to reduce chronic headaches in these sufferers.

Key Words:

• headache
• housewife
• employment
• family structure
• stress