The mediation effects of psychological factors in the relationship between mouth dryness and oral health related quality of life.
10.11149/jkaoh.2014.38.1.31
- Author:
Hee Jung PARK
1
;
Minsung SOHN
;
Jun Hyup LEE
;
Bo Hyoung JIN
;
Sophia LEE
;
Tae Il KIM
Author Information
1. BK21Plus Program in Public Health Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, Korea University Graduate School, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Depression;
Mouth dryness;
Oral health;
Quality of life;
Stress
- MeSH:
Adult;
Depression;
Female;
Humans;
Male;
Mouth*;
Negotiating*;
Oral Health*;
Psychology*;
Quality of Life*;
Surveys and Questionnaires;
Xerostomia*
- From:Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
2014;38(1):31-40
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of psychological factors as mediators in the casual relationship between mouth dryness and oral health-related quality of life of adults and to explore gender differences in what psychological factors play an important role in mediating the path of mouth dryness to quality of life. METHODS: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 321 adults who are above 20 and under 65 years of age. Collected data were analyzed via statistical packages using a multi-group analysis through the SEM (Structural Equation Model). RESULTS: Based on the statistical analysis, stress was a major psychological factor in male subjects. While depression served as a main mediator in female subjects. We discovered that the path coefficients of the following paths showed significant gender differences: mouth dryness --> depression, depression --> quality of life, stress --> quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: A gender-specific approach regarding effective prevention of stress and depression may be important for understanding the relationship between mouth dryness and quality of life.
