Multidimensional approach to the differences between muscular and articular temporomandibular patients: coping, distress, and pain characteristics.
OBJECTIVE
This study analyzes the differences in psychological variables and symptomatology between temporomandibular disorder diagnosis subgroups.


METHODS
The sample included 114 temporomandibular disorder patients that were evaluated in coping, distress, and temporomandibular characteristics. Diagnostic muscular (n = 58) and articular (n = 56) subgroups were compared in these variables through a MANCOVA.


RESULTS
Muscular patients show a higher level of general distress, specifically in the anxiety and somatization subscales and a more active coping style, with a tendency of a minor use of humor and a higher number of parafunctional habits, specifically, biting nails, hangnails, and lips.


CONCLUSIONS
We discuss the differences found in order to design the targets of the psychological intervention of temporomandibular patients.
GaldOn
Maria José
MJ
Department of Personality, Assessment, and Psychological Treatment, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
Durá
Estrella
E
Andreu
Yolanda
Y
Ferrando
Maite
M
Poveda
Rafael
R
Bagán
José Vicente
JV
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010147:Pain Measurement; D013001:Somatoform Disorders; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000523:psychology*; D013706:Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome / Q000523:psychology