ARTICLE A Bibliometric Analysis of Theses on Psychosocial Factors Associated with Pediatric Primary Headaches in Türkiye
ABSTRACT
Aim: This study examines theses on headaches
in children and adolescents diagnosed with
primary headaches within the context of
psychosocial variables, using a bibliometric
analysis.
Material and Methods: In this retrospective
descriptive study, theses uploaded to the
Council of Higher Education National Thesis
Center of Türkiye database until December
2024 were examined in detail for compliance
with the inclusion criteria, using the keywords
“headache,” “headaches,” “migraine,” “child,”
and “adolescent”. Following the review, a total
of 32 theses that met the criteria were evaluated
using various bibliometric parameters. Data
were analyzed using frequency and percentage
distributions, Chi-square and Fisher’s Exact
tests for relationships between variables,
and network visualizations generated with
VOSviewer and the Kamada–Kawai layout
algorithm.
Results: The analysis results revealed that,
although irregular, the number of theses on
this topic in Türkiye has shown a marked and
statistically significant increase over the past
two decades (p<0,01). Most of the theses were
medical specialty dissertations, with the highest
number conducted within the Department of
Pediatrics and at Mersin University. Significant
relationships were found between the advisor’s
academic title and the diversity of sample
diagnostic groups and data collection strategies,
as well as between the use of age-appropriate
measurement tools and the department (p<0,05).
The relationship between headaches in children
and adolescents with psychological symptoms,
quality of life, and psychiatric comorbidity
was among the most frequently investigated
topics, particularly within the disciplines of
pediatrics, child psychiatry, and pediatric
neurology. Furthermore, approximately half
of the examined theses had been published in
peer-reviewed journals indexed in national or
international databases.
Conclusion: This study can be considered
the first comprehensive bibliometric analysis
in Türkiye to identify research trends on the
psychosocial aspects of pediatric headaches—
an issue of growing global importance. Future
studies, including various databases, publication
types, and additional parameters, will further
enrich the findings and related literature.
AUTHORS
Ozan KAYAR
PAGE NUMBERS 54-69
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