Self-concept and the perception of facial appearance in children and adolescents seeking orthodontic treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To examine, in adolescents with mild to moderate malocclusion, the relationship between self-concept and demographic characteristics, a clinical assessment of malocclusion, self-perception of malocclusion, and self-perception of facial attractiveness.


METHODS
Fifty-nine consecutive patients ages 9 to 15 years scheduled for initial records in a graduate orthodontic clinic consented to participate. Each subject independently completed the Multidimensional Self-Concept Scale (MSCS), the Facial Image Scale, and the Index of Treatment Need-Aesthetic Component (IOTN-AC). Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) scores were obtained from the patients' diagnostic dental casts. Forward multiple-regression analysis with a backward overlook was used to analyze the effect of the demographic, clinical, and self-perception measures on each of the six self-concept (MSCS) domains.


RESULTS
Self-perception of the dentofacial region was the only statistically significant predictor (P < .05) for the Global, Competence, Affect, Academic, and Physical domains of self-concept, while age, parental marital status, and the adolescent's self-perception of the dentofacial region were statistically significant predictors (P < .05) of Social Self-Concept.


CONCLUSIONS
The self-perceived level of the attractiveness or "positive" feelings toward the dentofacial region is more strongly related to self-concept than the severity of the malocclusion as indicated by the PAR score or by the adolescent's perception of their malocclusion.
Phillips
Ceib
C
Department of Orthodontics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7450, USA. Ceib_Phillips@dentistry.unc.edu
Beal
Kimberly N Edwards
KN
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D002648:Child; D004955:Esthetics, Dental / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective / Q000523:psychology*; D018024:Peer Review, Health Care; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D012647:Self-Assessment