Recurrent Headache in Military-Dependent Children and the Impact of Parent Deployment

Child and adolescent somatic complaints (physical symptoms that usually result from stress or emotional distress) are understudied in the parental deployment context. Survey data were used to examine the relation between recurrent headaches in children and adolescents and experiences with parental deployment. Results indicated that youth reported increased irrespective of whether a parent deployed or not, however age and gender was associated with headaches for youth who had a parent deploy.