Childhood circumstances, psychosocial factors and the social impact of adult oral health

Abstract

<h4>Objectives</h4>The aim of this study was to determine whether childhood familial conditions are associated with the social impact of adult oral health and to investigate the role of psychosocial attributes as potential mechanisms by which risk might be conveyed from childhood to adulthood.<h4>Methods</h4>Using a cross-sectional design, self-report data were obtained from a representative sample of adults in Australia with a telephonic interview and a self-completed questionnaire. The dependent variable was the sum of impacts on the short-form Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). Childhood familial conditions included socioeconomic position assessed by paternal occupation group, family structure and quality of rearing. Current adult sense of control, perceived stress and satisfaction with life were assessed with standard scales and social support was evaluated with four items.<h4>Results</h4>Data were obtained for 3678 dentate adults aged 18-91 years. In bivariate analysis controlling for sex, age and household income in adulthood, parenting style was significantly associated with OHIP-14 scores (anova, P < 0.001). Adults who were reared supportively had more favourable scores on all four current psychosocial attributes (anova, P < 0.001). All four psychosocial attributes were associated with summed OHIP scores in the expected directions (anova, P < 0.001). In the multiple regression, parental rearing style was significantly associated with social impact after adjusting for sex, age and household income in adulthood, but was no longer significant in the presence of the psychosocial factors.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The importance of parental rearing to adult oral health may be mediated through the quality and nature of psychosocial attributes.