J Korean Acad Oral Health.  2014 Mar;38(1):31-40.

The mediation effects of psychological factors in the relationship between mouth dryness and oral health related quality of life

• Park HJ
• Sohn M
• Lee JH
• Jin BH
• Lee S
• Kim TI

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.

Keyword

Depression; Mouth dryness; Oral health; Quality of life; Stress

MeSH Terms

Adult
Depression
Female
Humans
Male
Mouth*
Negotiating*
Oral Health*
Psychology*
Quality of Life*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Xerostomia*

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Structural model based on estimation of standardized path coefficients in male. *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001. †Solid lines=significant direct effect, Dashed line=no significant direct effect. ‡OHIP-14, Oral Health Impact Profile.

• 

  Fig. 2. Structural model based on estimation of standardized path coefficients in female. *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001. †Solid lines=significant direct effect, Dashed line=no significant direct effect. ‡OHIP-14, Oral Health Impact Profile.

Reference

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