Use of Q methodology to assess the concerns of adult female individuals seeking orthodontic treatment

Figures & data

Table 1 Demographics of P sample

Demographic	P sample, n (%)
Age, years
18–24	15 (37.5)
25–30	20 (50.0)
>30	5 (12.5)
Level of education
Illiterate/primary school	6 (15.0)
Secondary school	10 (25.0)
Tertiary	24 (60.0)
Region
Urban	21 (52.5)
Rural	19 (47.5)
Employment status
Student	6 (15.0)
Unemployed	6 (15.0)
Employed	28 (70.0)
Marital status
Single	28 (70.0)
Married	12 (30.0)
Total	40

Figure 1 Q grid for factor 1.

Notes: *Distinguishing statement significant at P<0.05; **distinguishing statement significant at P<0.01.

Figure 2 Q grid for factor 2.

Notes: *Distinguishing statement significant at P<0.05; **distinguishing statement significant at P<0.01.

Figure 3 Q grid for factor 3.

Notes: *Distinguishing statement significant at P<0.05; **distinguishing statement significant at P<0.01.

Figure 4 Q grid for factor 4.

Notes: *Distinguishing statement significant at P<0.05; **distinguishing statement significant at P<0.01.

Table 2 Eigenvalue, variance, and characteristics of participants (n=32)

Demographic	Factor 1	Factor 2	Factor 3	Factor 4
Eigenvalue	6.05	3.43	2.63	2.21
Variance, %	21.62	12.26	9.38	7.90
Age, years
18–24	7	1	2	2
25–30	3	7	3	4
>30	1	0	1	1
Level of education
Illiterate/primary school	2	0	1	1
Secondary school	3	1	2	3
Tertiary	6	7	3	3
Region
Urban	5	4	1	5
Rural	6	4	5	2
Employment status
Student	1	0	0	3
Unemployed	1	1	0	1
Employed	9	7	6	3
Marital status
Single	7	8	4	4
Married	4	0	1	3
Total	11	8	6	7

Table 3 Statements and factor scores

	Statements	Factor
		1	2	3	4
S1	I am hesitant all the time.	−1	3**	−1	1*
S2	I am too busy with work or study and don’t have enough time to undergo the treatment.	−4	1**	4**	−3
S3	I am afraid that I cannot comply with the treatment.	2	0*	2	1
S4	I am afraid that I may not keep the appointments.	0	2	3	0
S5	There is not enough time to undergo the treatment, because I am planning on marriage and having children.	−3	3**	−2	−1
S6	I am worried about pain during orthodontic treatment.	0	−3**	1	4**
S7	I am afraid of pain during tooth extraction.	1**	−1	−1	3**
S8	I think orthodontics is not very hygienic.	−3	−3	−3	−4
S9	I am afraid I will look unattractive with braces.	−4**	2**	5**	−1**
S10	I am worried about what other people think, and that would make me feel uncomfortable wearing braces.	−2	1*	3*	−2
S11	My place is far from the hospital.	−2	−4*	3**	0
S12	I will not feel comfortable if I wear braces, as it will make me look different from others.	−1	−2	0	−2
S13	I think the price of the treatment is too high.	−2	3*	−3	5*
S14	I am afraid that the treatment will be too complicated.	0	0*	5*	2*
S15	I am afraid of orthodontic treatment.	2*	0	−1	−3
S16	I am worried that the treatment time will be excessively long.	−1**	4	2**	5
S17	I think I am too old for orthodontic treatment.	3	1	−2**	3
S18	I cannot afford treatment.	−1**	2	−4**	1
S19	I am worried about orthodontic treatment because I do not have enough knowledge in this area.	4**	2	1	−1**
S20	I have poor health and the treatment will make it worse.	−1	−4	−4*	−2
S21	I never realized that my teeth are irregular.	−2**	−5	−4	−5
S22	I am afraid that this orthodontic technology may not be adequate.	−3	1**	−3	−4
S23	Other doctors do not recommend orthodontic treatment.	−5	−4	−5	−3
S24	My family and (or) friends object to the treatment.	−4	−1*	−5	1*
S25	I am afraid the treatment will affect my eating during the process.	1**	−3**	4	3
S26	I am worried that the treatment will be ineffective.	5	4	0	−1
S27	I am worried that the treatment may have some side effects.	3**	5**	−2	−3
S28	I am afraid that the extraction will increase the space between my teeth.	3**	−3**	0	0
S29	I am worried about that I am too old for treatment because my teeth will get loose and fall off early.	4	3	−1**	4
S30	I am afraid that the treatment will affect my future chewing and eating.	4*	−1**	1	1
S31	I am afraid that my teeth will relapse and recur after treatment.	5	4	1*	2*
S32	I am worried about that after treatment I will lisp.	2**	−1	0*	−1
S33	It is bothersome having to brush my teeth every time I finish eating.	0*	−2**	2*	4*
S34	I am afraid that I will have nicknames because of the braces.	−5	0	−2	−5
S35	I am afraid the treatment will cause me to lose appetite.	1*	−5**	2	2
S36	I am worried that wearing braces will hurt my mouth.	3	−2**	3	2
S37	I am afraid that I will not be able to speak perfectly with the braces.	1	1	4**	0
S38	I am scared of dental procedures.	2**	−1	−3	−2
S39	I am worried that the braces will lower my chances of finding a partner.	−3**	5**	0	0
S40	I am afraid that food will remain stuck in my teeth after eating.	1	−2**	1	3*
S41	I am afraid the treatment will affect my performance at work.	0	0	−1	−4**

Notes:

* Distinguishing statement significant at P<0.05;

** distinguishing statement significant at P<0.01.