Psychological distress and coping orientations in young adults: their associations with temporomandibular disorder symptoms

Abstract

Objectives

The relationships between Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) symptoms, psychological distress and coping, together with the psychological risk factors for TMDs were investigated in young adults.

Material and methods

The quintessential five TMD symptoms (5Ts) of the DC/TMD were used to screen for TMDs. Participants were categorized into 5Ts-negative/positive groups and 5Ts-positive individuals were divided into those with pain-related (PT), intra-articular (IT) and combined (CT) TMD symptoms. Psychological distress and coping were examined using the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales-21 and brief-COPE inventory. Statistical evaluations were performed using non-parametric and regression analyses (α = 0.05).

Results

Of the 455 participants (mean age 22.5 ± 1.2 years) appraised, 41.1% were 5Ts-negative and 58.9% were 5Ts-positive (17.6% PT, 19.8% IT and 21.5% CT). Significant differences in negative affectivity, anxiety and stress were observed. However, the variances in coping styles/strategies were largely insignificant. For both 5Ts groups, dysfunctional coping was moderately correlated to negative affectivity/emotions (r_s = 0.40–0.52).

Conclusions

Asian young adults with CT and PT had significantly higher levels of negative affectivity, anxiety and stress than their counterparts with IT and/or NT. Negative affectivity/emotions were associated with the use of dysfunctional coping strategies and anxiety was the main psychological risk factor for TMD symptoms.

Statement of clinical relevance

As psychological distress is associated with the frequent use of dysfunctional coping strategies, clinicians are urged to assess negative emotions and coping behaviours when supporting individuals with TMDs.

Keywords:

• Temporomandibular joint disorders
• symptoms
• anxiety
• stress
• coping

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Hanin I, Pragustine Y and Fitryanur A for their assistance with the data collection.

Author contributions

Adrian Ujin Yap contributed to conceptualization; data curation; formal analysis; investigation; methodology; project administration; resources; supervision; validation; visualization; writing the original draft. Carolina Marpaung contributed to conceptualization; data curation; formal analysis; investigation; methodology; project administration; resources; software; supervision; validation; and review and editing.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by grant number: 0142/PUF/FKG/2021-202 from Trisakti University, Indonesia.