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Dental anxiety in relation to mental health and personality factors
Author(s) -
Hägglin Catharina,
Hakeberg Magnus,
Hällström Tore,
Berggren Ulf,
Larsson Lena,
Waern Margda,
Pálsson Sigurdur,
Skoog Ingmar
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
european journal of oral sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.802
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1600-0722
pISSN - 0909-8836
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0722.2001.00946.x
Subject(s) - neuroticism , extraversion and introversion , anxiety , phobias , eysenck personality questionnaire , psychiatry , psychology , personality , dental fear , clinical psychology , mental health , big five personality traits , social psychology
Little is known about the longitudinal course of dental anxiety in relation to age, mental health and personality factors. In 1968–69 a representative sample of 778 women aged 38 to 54 yr took part in a psychiatric examination. Three hundred and ten were followed up in 1992–93. A phobia questionnaire, including assessment of dental fear, and the Eysenck Personality Inventory were distributed to the participants at both occasions. High dental fear was reported by 16.8% of the women at baseline and was associated with a higher number of other phobias, a higher level of neuroticism, more psychiatric impairment, more social disability due to phobic disorder, and a higher anxiety level. Among women who reported high dental fear in 1968–69 ( n =36), 64% remitted and 36% remained fearful. Among women with low dental fear in 1968–69 ( n =274), 5% reported high dental fear in 1992–93. Chronicity was associated with higher neuroticism, lower extraversion, and more psychiatric impairment at base‐line. Remission was associated with higher extraversion at baseline. Dental anxiety increased or decreased over time in concert with the number of other fears.