Sense of Coherence mediates the association between temporomandibular disorders and quality of life

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate whether Sense of Coherence (SOC) mediates the association between temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and Oral Health‐Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) and general quality of life (QoL) in Brazilian elders.

Methods

Informations on sociodemographic, psychological and presence or absence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) were collected by trained dentists among non‐institutionalized elders (n=110). OHRQoL was measured with the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP‐14) and QoL using the WHOQoL‐BREF. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to estimate the standardized direct effect of TMD on OHRQoL and on QoL, and the indirect effect mediated by SOC.

Results

TMD had no direct effect on OHRQoL (coef. ‐0.10); whereas, indirect effect mediated by SOC was noted (coef. 0.35). Regarding QoL, the indirect effect of TMD, mediated by SOC, on QoL (coef. 0.58) was higher than the direct effect (coef. 0.34).

Conclusion

SOC mediated the effect of TMD on oral and general quality of life among elders.

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