ASSESSING THE INFLUENCE OF INCREASED STRESS ON BRUXISM DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Aim of the study: This study aims to evaluate the possible relationship between the occurrence of bruxism and perceived stress during the Covid-19 pandemic period. Material and methods: Two questionnaires were administered to one hundred forty-five (145) respondents randomly selected from different age groups and gender. Each patient was screened with and Perceived Stress Scale–10 (PSS-10) containing ten questions. The questionnaire assessed patients about stress related to everyday problems, personal events, and coping methods. The answers were scored using an ordinal five-point scale. In this study, a six-item self-administered questionnaire was used to evaluate self-reported awake and sleep bruxism. Results: In the present study, bruxism was not statistically significantly correlated with self-reported perceived stress based on PSS-10 (rank correlation coefficient was rho (145) = 0.080, p < 0.341). There was no statistically significant difference within the study group between genders in the frequency of low, moderate, and high PSS-10 results (U = 2329.5, p = 0.339). The analysis also showed no statistically significant difference between males and females regarding bruxism score (U = 2381.5, p = 0.434). Conclusions: Results do not confirm the findings of a positive association between bruxism and perceived stress. Within the limitations of this study, the data suggest that the relationship between perceived stress and the expression of bruxism is more complex. Given the results of the current research, this issue requires further investigation.