Abstract
Background
Psychosocial factors largely external to the individual—such as social support and those that are inherently dispositional, like optimism—may both play a role in determining oral health outcomes and serve to buffer the effect of each other.
Purpose
The aim of this study was to assess associations of social support and optimism on oral health.
Method
In 2005–2006, n = 1,859 persons around 30 years old were surveyed to collect data on social support, optimism, oral health-related quality of life, and caries experience.
Results
Unadjusted analyses found high social support associated (P < 0.05) with fewer (mean ± SE) decayed teeth (0.6 ± 0.1) and less negative impact on quality of life (2.7 ± 0.2) compared to low support (1.0 ± 0.2 and 4.5 ± 0.4 respectively). High optimism was associated with fewer missing teeth (2.1 ± 0.2) and less negative impact on quality of life (2.1 ± 0.2) compared to low optimism (2.9 ± 0.2 and 3.8 ± 0.2, respectively). Multivariate regressions adjusted for dental visiting, toothbrushing, sex, income, work status and education showed social support and optimism had (P < 0.05) negative associations with missing teeth (β = −1.0) and caries experience (β = −1.5) for high support/high optimism compared to low support/low optimism. All three non-reference combinations of support/optimism showed negative associations (β = −1.6 to −2.4) with impact of problems compared to low support/low optimism.
Conclusions
Social support and optimism were associated with oral health. Impact of dental problems showed buffering of high support when optimism was low, and high optimism when support was low.
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Acknowledgements
The study was supported by a Research and Development Grants Advisory Committee grant, the South Australian Dental Service, and South Australian Health Commission in 1988–1989; and a National Health and Medical Research Council project grant (299057) in 2005–2006 and Career Development Award (627037).
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Brennan, D.S., Spencer, A.J. Social Support and Optimism in Relation to the Oral Health of Young Adults. Int.J. Behav. Med. 19, 56–64 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-010-9136-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-010-9136-3