Correlates between temporomandibular disorder severity, emotional distress, and eudaimonic well‐being among young adults

• Published in: Oral diseases Vol. 29; no. 7; pp. 2780 - 2788
• Main Authors: Yap, Adrian Ujin, Marpaung, Carolina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-10-2023
• Subjects: Anxiety; Emotions; Mental depression; Temporomandibular joint; Temporomandibular joint disorders; Young adults
• ISSN: 1354-523X; 1601-0825
• DOI: 10.1111/odi.14343

Abstract
Objectives
This study examined the correlates between severity of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), emotional distress, and eudaimonic well‐being.
Subjects and Methods
TMD severity, negative emotions, and eudaimonia were assessed with the Fonseca Anamnestic Index (FAI), Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales‐21 (DASS‐21), and Psychological Well‐being Scale‐18 (PWBS‐18) in a cohort of community young adults. Statistical evaluations were done with non‐parametric tests/correlation and multivariate regression analyses (
α
 = 0.05).
Results
Amongst the 873 participants (mean age 19.8 ± 1.66 years), 40.7%, 49.0%, and 10.3% had no (NT), mild (MT), and moderate‐to‐severe (ST) TMD, respectively. Significant differences in total‐DASS, depression, anxiety, and stress were ST ≥ MT > NT. Significant variances in total‐PWSB and self‐acceptance were NT > MT > ST while that for environmental mastery, positive relations, and purpose in life were NT > MT, ST. An inverse relationship was discerned between total‐DASS and total‐PWBS (correlation coefficient = −0.54). The prospect of ST was increased by anxiety but reduced by positive relations and self‐acceptance.
Conclusions
Young adults with mild and moderate‐to‐severe TMD experienced substantially higher emotional distress and lower eudaimonia than those with no TMD. As emotional distress and eudaimonic well‐being are interrelated, positive psychological interventions may be beneficial for managing TMD‐related psychosocial disabilities.