Virtue of courage as modulator in interactions among oral health beliefs, oral hygiene habits and dietary preferences

Abstract

The impact of virtue of courage as mediating and moderating variable in interactions of oral health beliefs with oral hygiene habits and dietary preferences is of interest. A total of 100 patients with a complain of periodontal ailments and dental caries were enrolled from dental institute.40 items belonging to character strengths of psychological virtue of courage in values in action Inventory of Strength (VIA-IS) Questionnaire and 15 Oral Health Belief Questionnaire items were recorded. Oral hygiene habits and dietary preferences congruent with oral health were also recorded. A significant positive correlation was observed in the following variables: barriers/gender (correlation coefficient =.212, P =.034) There was positive correlation between perseverance and nutritional preferences (correlation coefficient = .239, P =.017); courage and nutritional preferences (correlation coefficient = .241, P = .016). Virtue of courage and its character strengths have significant positive impact over dietary preferences congruent with oral health. Inculcation of character strengths belonging to courage as virtue may have the potential to modulate compliance to oral health beliefs and consequently oral health.