Effect of social support and self-esteem on the oral health behaviors of Korean elderly people.
10.11149/jkaoh.2017.41.4.282
- Author:
Yuna SHIN
1
;
Jinsil HONG
;
Youngsam KIM
;
Kee Wan CHANG
Author Information
1. Department of Preventive & Community Dentistry, Chonbuk National University Dental School, Jeonju, Korea. prevdent@chonbuk.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Elderly;
Oral health behavior;
Self-esteem;
Social support
- MeSH:
Aged*;
Dentists;
Education;
Health Expenditures;
Humans;
Oral Health*;
Psychology;
Tooth
- From:Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
2017;41(4):282-289
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the oral health behaviors and the relationships between social support, self-esteem, and oral health behaviors. METHODS: The institutions were selected based on the “2016 Elderly Welfare Facilities Status.” A total of 195 people participated in interviews conducted using a 39-item questionnaire. It included information on the following topics: a) sociodemographic and health-related characteristics (11 items), b) oral health behaviors (6), c) social support (12), and d) self-esteem (10). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, a reliability test, a t-test, an ANOVA, a Pearson's correlation test, and a stepwise multiple regression, conducted using the SPSS 23.0 program. RESULTS: Of the 195 participants, 165 (84.6%) brushed their teeth twice a day; however only 74 (38.0%) participants used oral care products. Although many (64.6%) elderly people visited a dentist at least once a year, only a few (24.6%) visited the dentist for preventive purposes. Oral health behaviors had a positive correlation with self-esteem, significant others' support, and friends'support (.337, .270, and .254, respectively; P<.01). According to the multiple regression analysis, self-esteem, significant others' support, perceived health status, number of existing permanent teeth, friends' support, degree of exercise, gender, and average monthly expenditure had a significant effect on the participants' oral health behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that social support and self-esteem might be major predictors of oral health behaviors. These results suggest that psychosocial factors need to be taken into account in the oral health education provided for elderly people.
