IMPACT OF PERSONALITY TRAIT OF OPENNESS TO EXPERIENCE ON ORAL PARAFUNCTIONAL HABITS

Abstract

Introduction: The personality trait of openness to experiences symbolizes the level of creativity, non-conformity, and adventurous aspects of an individual`s personality. Individuals with this personality trait as their predominant personality characteristic are very receptive to new ideas and concepts and are rarely reluctant to embark upon new avenues in life. These individuals are more open-minded and tend to investigate a broader perspective of situations.  It is a known fact that such individuals have a very non-conservative method of information seeking as opposed to conservative people who are extremely cautious of the facts, they come across to avoid the risks. This study was designed to find out the impact of the personality trait of openness to experience on oral parafunctional habits.

Material & Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the College of Dentistry, Sharif Medical and Dental College, Lahore, over 5 months, from July to November 2021. Data was collected using a pre-validated parafunctional habits questionnaire and a ten-item personality inventory scale.

Results: The difference in the personality trait score of openness to experience was non-significant with oral parafunctional habits of tooth grinding (p=0.28), tooth clenching (p=0.36), biting hard objects (p=0.86) and chewing gum (p=0.83), however, significant with the habit of nail biting (p=0.03).

Conclusion: The personality trait was seen most prevalent in individuals who disagreed with having the habit of nail biting and teeth grinding and for those who strongly agreed to have the habit of tooth clenching. The personality trait was also most prevalent in individuals who agreed to have the habit of biting hard objects and those who neither agreed nor disagreed with having the habit of chewing gum.