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Personality traits and oral self-care behaviors: longitudinal findings from the Normative Aging Study

Kressin NR, Spiro A, Bosse R, Garcia R. Personality traits and oral self-care behaviors: longitudinal findings from the Normative Aging Study. Psychology & Health. 1999 Feb 10; 14:71-85.

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Abstract:

We examined the persistence of oral self-care behaviors (toothbrushing and 'other oral self-care behaviors', using dental floss, gum stimulators, mouthwash, or a water irrigation device) over time and whether personality traits are associated with the performance of such behaviors. Using data from the VA Normative Aging Study/Dental Longitudinal Study, we examined whether the personality traits of anxiety/neuroticism or extraversion from two different personality measures (the 16PF and EPI-Q) were related to the performance of two types of oral self-care behaviors over thirteen years. Oral self-care behaviors were relatively stable and consistent over time, and a summary measure was developed to reflect their average frequency. Regression analyses showed that both measures of neuroticism/anxiety were negatively associated with toothbrushing, while both measures of extraversion were positively associated with the performance of other oral self-care behaviors. Results are similar to other findings demonstrating a link between personality traits and health behaviors; these results are also discussed in terms of their import for future oral health promotion activities.




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