Dental anxiety in relation to mental health and personality factors. A longitudinal study of middle-aged and elderly women.
Little is known about the longitudinal course of dental anxiety in relation to age, mental health and personality factors. In 1968 69 a representative sample of 778 women aged 38 to 54 yr took part in a psychiatric examination. Three hundred and ten were followed up in 1992-93. A phobia questionnaire, including assessment of dental fear, and the Eysenck Personality Inventory were distributed to the participants at both occasions. High dental fear was reported by 16.8% of the women at baseline and was associated with a higher number of other phobias, a higher level of neuroticism, more psychiatric impairment, more social disability due to phobic disorder, and a higher anxiety level. Among women who reported high dental fear in 1968 69 (n=36), 64% remitted and 36% remained fearful. Among women with low dental fear in 1968 69 (n = 274), 5% reported high dental fear in 1992-93. Chronicity was associated with higher neuroticism, lower extraversion, and more psychiatric impairment at base-line. Remission was associated with higher extraversion at baseline. Dental anxiety increased or decreased over time in concert with the number of other fears.
Hägglin
C
C
Department of Endodontology/Oral Diagnosis, Göteborg University Sweden. Catharina.Hagglin@odontologi.gu.se
Hakeberg
M
M
Hällström
T
T
Berggren
U
U
Larsson
L
L
Waern
M
M
Pálsson
S
S
Skoog
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications; D005120:Extraversion, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007439:Introversion, Psychological; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000150:complications; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000150:complications; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires