Journal of Oral Rehabilitation· 2026Q1
Indirect Associations of Personality, Somatic Symptoms and Oral Behaviours in the Link Between Psychological Distress and TMD Symptom Severity
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- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Psychological distress indirectly impacts temporomandibular disorder (TMD) symptom severity in young adults through personality traits (agreeableness), somatization, and oral behaviors, with somatization and oral behaviors showing the strongest mediation effects (β = 0.46 and β = 0.63 respectively).
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Key points
- 19.0% of 784 young adults reported symptoms consistent with TMDs.
- Psychological distress and somatization were significantly associated with greater TMD symptom severity, higher oral behavior frequency, and specific personality traits.
- Moderate correlations (rs = 0.40-0.53) were observed between psychological distress, somatization, oral behaviors, and TMD symptom severity.
- Partial mediation pathways showed indirect associations for psychological distress via agreeableness (β = 0.05), somatization (β = 0.46), and oral behaviors (β = 0.63).
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are multifactorial conditions affecting the masticatory system, with psychological distress increasingly recognized as a contributory factor. This study explored whether personality traits, somatization and oral behaviours are linked to the relationship between psychological distress and TMD symptom severity in young adults, by assessing their interrelationships and potential statistical pathways. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 784 participants (mean age: 20.9 years; 66.1% female). Validated instruments included the Short-Form Fonseca Anamnestic Index, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-4, Big Five Inventory-10, PHQ-15 and Oral Behaviours Checklist. Statistical analyses comprised Mann-Whitney U, Chi-square, Spearman's correlation and Hayes' PROCESS macro (Models 1 and 4) to examine moderation and mediation in terms of indirect associations (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Symptoms consistent with TMDs were identified in 19.0% of participants. Moderate-to-severe psychological distress and somatization were significantly associated with greater TMD symptom severity, higher oral behaviour frequency and specific personality traits. Moderate correlations were observed among psychological distress, somatization, oral behaviours and TMD symptom severity (rs = 0.40-0.53). No significant moderation pathways were detected. Partial mediation pathways indicated indirect associations for psychological distress via agreeableness (β = 0.05), somatization (β = 0.46) and oral behaviours (β = 0.63), and for somatization via psychological distress (β = 0.12) and oral behaviours (β = 0.42). CONCLUSION: Psychological distress and TMD symptom severity showed indirect associations involving personality, somatization and oral behaviours. These findings highlight the value of biopsychosocial screening and culturally sensitive approaches for TMDs in young adults.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Complementary and Manual Therapy
Complementary and Manual TherapyHealth Professions