title: The relationship between self-reported oral health, self-regulation, proactive coping, procrastination and proactive attitude.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between self-regulation, proactive coping, procrastination and proactive attitude, perceived oral health and self-reported oral-health behaviours.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study sample consisted of 198 first year medical students. The questionnaire included information about socio-demographic factors, behavioural variables, self-reported oral health status, proactive coping (proactive coping subscale of the Proactive Coping Inventory), procrastination (Procrastination Scale) and proactive attitude (Proactive Attitude Scale).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences were found on self-regulation, proactive coping, procrastination and proactive attitude scales between participants who rated their gingival condition as very good/excellent and those who evaluated it as being poor, very poor or normal (p < 0.05). Results revealed significant differences in procrastination level among individuals who never visit their dentist and those who visit their dentist for check-up or for tooth cleaning and scaling (p = 0.001) or when treatment is needed or when in pain (p < 0.05). In multiple linear regression analyses, proactive coping was associated with toothbrushing frequency and reason for dental visiting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The result suggested that procrastination and proactive coping are important determinants of perceived oral health and self-reported oral-health behaviours.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tromsø, Norway. alexandrina.l.dumitrescu@gmail.com
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Dumitrescu
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Dogaru
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Dogaru
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Manolescu
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D059031:Anticipation, Psychological; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001288:Attention; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000523:psychology; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005260:Female; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000523:psychology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009909:Oral Health; D010551:Personality; D057566:Self Report; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000523:psychology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult