title: Maladaptive coping strategies in patients with bruxism compared to non-bruxing controls.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sleep bruxism is the non-functional grinding or clenching of teeth during sleep. It may lead to tooth damage and myofascial pain. Although stress is discussed as a main causal agent, there is a lack of studies concerning coping strategies in patients with sleep bruxism.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to investigate whether bruxers, compared to non-bruxing individuals, apply maladaptive coping strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-five sleep bruxers and 38 non-bruxers were selected by dental examination and tested by a German coping questionnaire (SVF78).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant difference in positive coping strategies was observed between the two groups. Bruxers reported less positive coping strategies, mainly less "reaction control" and "positive self-instructions." In general, males reported less negative coping strategies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reported effects demonstrate a deficit of functional coping strategies in bruxers, whereas strategies that enhance stress do not seem to be associated with sleep bruxism. Findings do not admit the conclusion that there is a causal association of maladaptive coping and bruxism. However, they support the approach of a multidisciplinary therapy involving psychological treatment.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Institute of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany. christine.schneider@med.uni-duesseldorf.de
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schaefer
authors.forename: Michelle A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ommerborn
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giraki
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goertz
authors.forename: Wolfgang H-M
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Raab
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Franz
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010551:Personality; D020186:Sleep Bruxism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*