Do Different Orthodontic Malocclusions Affect Patients' Self-Concept and Psychosocial Status?

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the self-concept and psychosocial status measured by the levels of social phobia and loneliness in a sample of adolescent patients with different malocclusions and to explain the relationships, if any, between malocclusions. This study was performed on 90 (41 females and 49 males) orthodontic patients with a mean age of 13.52±1.81 years. The patients were divided into three groups (Class I, Class II, and Class III) according to the different types of malocclusions. Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale (PHCSCS) was used to determine the self-concepts of patients. In addition, the levels of social phobia and loneliness were measured by Capa Social Phobia Scale for Children and Adolescents (CSPSCA) and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Inventory, respectively. Data were analyzed statistically. The self-concept, social phobia, and loneliness scores of each group were compared using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc test. Self-concept scores did not significantly differ between the groups, except for the popularity subscale. Patients with Class II malocclusion had the lowest popularity scores. No significant differences were found between the levels of social phobia and loneliness among groups (p>0.05). Our findings demonstrated that different malocclusions do not affect patients' self-concept and psychosocial well-being.