Open AccessSelf-Concept and the Perception of Facial Appearance in Children and Adolescents Seeking Orthodontic Treatment
Author(s) -
Ceib Phillips,
Kimberly N Edwards Beal
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the angle orthodontist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1945-7103
pISSN - 0003-3219
DOI - 10.2319/071307-328.1
Subject(s) - malocclusion , attractiveness , perception , self concept , psychology , feeling , medicine , human physical appearance , dentistry , orthodontics , developmental psychology , clinical psychology , social psychology , neuroscience , psychoanalysis
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 and Materials: 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. Conclusion: 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.