Daniel W McNeil1,2,3, Cameron L Randall3,4, Lindsey L Cohen5, Richard J Crout3,6, Robert J Weyant3,7, Katherine Neiswanger3,8, Mary L Marazita3,8,9. 1. Department of Dental Practice & Rural Health, School of Dentistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia. 2. Department of Psychology, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia. 3. Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia. 4. Department of Oral Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seatttle, Washington. 5. Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia. 6. Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia. 7. Department of Dental Public Health, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 8. Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 9. Clinical and Translational Science and Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dental fear/anxiety is associated with numerous negative outcomes. State dental fear is known to be transmitted from parents to their children in the dental setting, but it is not known how trait fear/anxiety might be shared between parents and offspring long term, and especially for adolescents. AIM: This study aimed to: (a) compare dental fear levels of adolescents and their parents; (b) predict adolescent dental fear based on demographic variables, fear of pain, and parental dental fear; and, (c) determine relative contributions of mothers' and fathers' dental fear to adolescent fear. DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, the Dental Fear Survey and Fear of Pain Questionnaire-9 were administered to 350 adolescents (age range 11-17) and 515 of their parents, with t test and ANOVA used to calculate between-group differences; multiple linear regression was used to predict adolescent fear from parent fear. RESULTS: Adolescents' dental fear was predicted by their own fear of pain and their parents' dental fear, but not their parents' fear of pain nor their own age or gender. When considered together, fathers' but not mothers' dental fear predicted adolescents' dental fear. CONCLUSIONS: Parents' fears/anxieties about dentistry are associated with adolescents' dental fear in a manner suggestive of intergenerational transmission.
BACKGROUND: Dental fear/anxiety is associated with numerous negative outcomes. State dental fear is known to be transmitted from parents to their children in the dental setting, but it is not known how trait fear/anxiety might be shared between parents and offspring long term, and especially for adolescents. AIM: This study aimed to: (a) compare dental fear levels of adolescents and their parents; (b) predict adolescent dental fear based on demographic variables, fear of pain, and parental dental fear; and, (c) determine relative contributions of mothers' and fathers' dental fear to adolescent fear. DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, the Dental Fear Survey and Fear of Pain Questionnaire-9 were administered to 350 adolescents (age range 11-17) and 515 of their parents, with t test and ANOVA used to calculate between-group differences; multiple linear regression was used to predict adolescent fear from parent fear. RESULTS: Adolescents' dental fear was predicted by their own fear of pain and their parents' dental fear, but not their parents' fear of pain nor their own age or gender. When considered together, fathers' but not mothers' dental fear predicted adolescents' dental fear. CONCLUSIONS: Parents' fears/anxieties about dentistry are associated with adolescents' dental fear in a manner suggestive of intergenerational transmission.
Authors: Casey D Wright; Alaina G Tiani; Amber L Billingsley; Shari A Steinman; Kevin T Larkin; Daniel W McNeil Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2019-11-20
Authors: Kalo C Sokoto; Lisa F Platt; Linda A Alexander; Betsy Foxman; John R Shaffer; Mary L Marazita; Daniel W McNeil Journal: J Public Health Dent Date: 2022-03 Impact factor: 2.258
Authors: Cecelia I Nelson; Casey D Wright; Jamey T Brumbaugh; Katherine Neiswanger; Richard J Crout; Christa L Lilly; Mary L Marazita; Daniel W McNeil Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-07-22 Impact factor: 3.752