Motivation of adult female patients seeking orthodontic treatment: an application of Q-methodology

Figures & data

Table 1 Demographics of participants (n=37)

	Factor 1	Factor 2	Factor 3	Factor 4
Eigenvalues	12.337	3.878	2.944	2.671
Variance %	22.754	10.931	4.196	3.576
Cumulative %	22.754	33.684	43.675	52.191
Age, years
18–24	9	3	4	2
25–30	6	1	3	2
>30	5	1	0	1
Education background
Illiterate/primary school	1	0	1	1
Secondary school	5	1	1	2
Tertiary	14	4	5	2
Employment status
Unemployed	9	1	6	2
Employed	11	4	1	3
Marital status
Single	8	3	6	2
Married	12	2	1	3
n	20	5	7	5

Figure 1 Eleven-point scale.

Figure 2 Q-grid for factor 1. Patients who focus on self-perception of their appearance.

Notes: *Distinguishing statement significant at P<0.05; **distinguishing statement significant at P<0.01. Bold type indicates distinguishing statements for factor 1 compared with other factors (factor 2, 3 and 4).
Abbreviation: S, statement.

Figure 3 Q-grid for factor 2. Patients who are concerned about the esthetics and function of their teeth.

Notes: *Distinguishing statement significant at P<0.05; **distinguishing statement significant at P<0.01. Bold type indicates distinguishing statements for factor 2 compared with other factors.
Abbreviation: S, statement.

Figure 4 Q-grid for factor 3. Patients who are easily influenced by others.

Notes: *Distinguishing statement significant at P<0.05; **distinguishing statement significant at P<0.01. Bold type indicates distinguishing statements for factor 3 compared with other factors.
Abbreviation: S, statement.

Figure 5 Q-grid for factor 4. Patients who want to improve their confidence and abandon negative thoughts caused by their teeth.

Notes: *Distinguishing statement significant at P<0.05; **distinguishing statement significant at P<0.01. Bold type indicates distinguishing statements for factor 4 compared with other factors.
Abbreviation: S, statement.

Table 2 Statements and factor scores

Item number	Statements	Factor
		1	2	3	4
S1	Irregular teeth affect my daily life	0	0	−2*	1
S2	My clients do not like me because of my appearance	−1	−1	−3*	0
S3	There is a gap between my teeth	−3	−2	3**	0
S4	I speak with a lisp because of my teeth	−3**	1	0	1
S5	I am embarrassed because I spit on people when I talk to them	−4**	0	0	−2
S6	It’s difficult to have a boyfriend/girlfriend because of my teeth	0	−2	−4	−1
S7	It hard for me to find a job because of my ugly teeth	0	−2	−2	−1
S8	My teeth make eating difficult	−4**	0	0	−1
S9	I think orthodontic treatment is very fashionable	−3**	−4	−4	−4
S10	I am not willing to talk to other people because of my teeth	−2	−3	−1	3**
S11	Wearing braces could help me lose weight by eating less	−1*	−3*	−5	−5
S12	I feel uncomfortable when I look at myself in the mirror because of my teeth	3*	1	2	1
S13	I do not like smiling because of my teeth	1	−1	0	3**
S14	I just do not like my teeth	3	−2**	1**	3
S15	Orthodontic treatment would make me look more attractive	5	4	3	1**
S16	I want a row of perfect teeth	3	4	5	4
S17	I want to make myself feel better	4	3	2	−1**
S18	I think I would be happier after orthodontic treatment	2	−1	−2	2
S19	I do not really like myself because of my teeth	1**	0	−1	−1
S20	I hope that I will be able to give a big smile when I have my photo taken in the future	4**	2	0*	2
S21	My relatives are also having orthodontic treatment	−2	2**	−3	−2
S22	I feel a little inferior because of my teeth	1	−3	−2	2
S23	I hope to be more popular after orthodontic treatment	2	1	1	−2**
S24	I am afraid that my teeth will get worse	−1*	3	4	0*
S25	My teeth are protruding	2**	5	−3**	5
S26	It’s hard to chew food well	1*	2*	−1	−2
S27	I always bite my tongue when I talk	−5**	1	−1	1
S28	It’s so hard to keep teeth clean and they may decay	−2*	−4*	−1*	2**
S29	Food often sticks to my teeth, and it feels very uncomfortable	−1	1	1	0
S30	My family suggested that I have orthodontic treatment	0**	2*	4*	−3**
S31	I sought treatment because my friends are also being treated	0	0	2**	−3*
S32	I have to cover my mouth when I laugh	1	−1**	1	4**
S33	My friends suggested that I have orthodontic treatment	−1	−1	2**	−3
S34	Other non-orthodontic doctors recommended that I have orthodontic treatment	−2**	−5	3**	−4
S35	I realize that irregular teeth negatively affect my appearance	2	3	1	0

Notes: Factor is the Q-Sort values for each statement.

Abbreviations: Factor 1, patients who focus on self-perception of their appearance; Factor 2, patients who are concerned about the esthetics and function of their teeth; Factor 3, patients who are easily influenced by others; Factor 4, patients who want to improve their confidence and abandon negative thoughts caused by their teeth.

* Distinguishing statement significant at P<0.05

** distinguishing statement significant at P<0.01.