Premium
Self‐esteem as a predictor of toothbrushing behaviour in young adolescents
Author(s) -
Macgregor I. D. M.,
Balding J. W.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
journal of clinical periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.456
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1600-051X
pISSN - 0303-6979
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-051x.1991.tb00434.x
Subject(s) - self esteem , medicine , dentistry , demography , variation (astronomy) , self care , dental care , clinical psychology , psychology , health care , physics , sociology , astrophysics , economics , economic growth
Abstract A survey of 4075 14‐year‐old children from secondary schools throughout England was made to obtain information about toothbrushing frequency, motivation for mouth care, and self‐esteem. Subjects completed a questionnaire, anonymously, in class. Toothbrushing frequency was found to increase significantly with increasing self‐esteem in males ( P < 0.0001) and females ( P < 0.05). However, there was no consistent variation with self‐esteem in those brushing 3‐or more times per day, in either sex. There was a significant variation in the main reason given for mouth care between the sexes ( P < 0.0001); proportionately more females (67%) than males (57%) gave cleanliness or cosmetic effect as the principal reason for mouth care. A variation was observed in the mean reason given for mouth care with self‐esteem in females ( P < 0.05), but not in males. However, in both sexes, as self‐esteem improved, there was a consistent increase in the proportions of individuals who brushed their teeth to make them feel clean. These findings suggest there may be a positive relationship between self‐esteem and toothbrushing behaviour and motivation for mouth care in adolescents.