title: Sense of coherence as a determinant of the oral health-related quality of life: a national study in Finnish adults.
abstract: Our aim was to investigate the relationship among the oral health-related quality of life, the sense of coherence (SOC), and socio-economic and demographic factors, oral behavioural variables and oral health variables. The sample of this study consisted of 4,039, 30-64-yr-old dentate adults (1,899 men and 2,140 women). The questionnaire and home interview included information about socio-economic and demographic factors, behavioural and attitudinal variables (such as oral health behaviours and oral health variables), the SOC (12-item) and the Oral Health Impact Profile scales (OHIP-14). Subjects with a strong or moderate SOC were found to have significantly fewer problems attributed to oral conditions (OHIP) than those with a weak SOC. The SOC was also associated with all of the subscales of the OHIP, and the association was most evident in psychological discomfort, psychological disability and handicap subscales. The SOC appears to be a determinant of the OHIP, independently of oral health, oral health behaviour and socio-economic factors. A psycho-social aspect is strongly embodied in the oral health-related quality of life of individuals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and Geriatric Dentistry, Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. jjsavola@paju.oulu.fi
authors.forename: Jarno
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Savolainen
authors.forename: Anna-Liisa
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Suominen-Taipale
authors.forename: Hannu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hausen
authors.forename: Päivi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Harju
authors.forename: Antti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uutela
authors.forename: Tuija
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Martelin
authors.forename: Matti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Knuuttila
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003729:Dental Care; D003817:Dentition; D003778:Dentures; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012923:Social Class; D014099:Toothbrushing