SELF-CONCEPT AND DENTAL-HEALTH BEHAVIORS IN ADOLESCENTS

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the relation between some dental health behaviours and 2 measures of self-concept in adoles cents. Data from a survey of 41142, 12-16-year-old children from 244 s econdary schools thoughout England were analysed to obtain information about their frequencies of toothbrushing, use of dental floss and den tal attendance, and whether they recalled advice about toothbrushing, in relation to self-esteem and health locus of control (HLOC). Subject s completed a questionnaire, anonymously in school class. The results showed a significant positive correlation (Spearman) between the frequ encies of flossing and toothbrushing, in both sexes, and between socia l group and toothbrushing frequency, where brushing frequency increase d as socio-economic status improved. Some association between use of f loss and social group emerged, but this was smaller and less consisten t than that observed with toothbrushing brushing frequency. Self-estee m was positively correlated with toothbrushing frequency at ages 12-15 years, while HLOC showed correlations at some ages but not others. Us e of dental floss showed no relation to self-concept. Subjects with mo re favourable self-concept were more likely to make more frequent dent al visits than those with a poorer self-view. There was a strong and c onsistent correlation between recalled advice about toothbrushing and lower self-esteem and external locus of control. The results are in ag reement with our earlier reports and suggest that self-concept may pla y a significant role in mediating changes in dental health behaviour.