Correlation between temporomandibular disorders and psychological distress in health sciences university students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20453/reh.v36i2.6734Keywords:
temporomandibular joint, psychological distress, university studentsAbstract
Objective: To determine the correlation between temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and psychological distress in health sciences university students. Materials and methods: A correlational study was conducted in a population of 2,302 students, and a sample size of 329 participants was calculated. The main variables analyzed were TMD, assessed using the Fonseca Anamnestic Index, and psychological distress, measured with the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Academic program was used as a covariate. Results: Mild psychological distress was the most frequent category, at 33.13% (n = 109), while moderate TMD had the highest prevalence, at 55.93% (n = 184). No statistically significant correlation was found between the two variables in the total sample (rho = 0.072; p = 0.194). However, analysis by academic program showed a significant correlation among Dentistry students, whereas no statistically significant associations were observed among Human Medicine, Nursing, or Social Work students. Conclusions: No statistically significant correlation was found between TMD and psychological distress in the total sample of health sciences students. However, subgroup analysis showed a significant positive correlation among Dentistry students.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Melissa Pinella Vega, Tania Belú Castillo Cornock, Escarlet Odalis Chacón Zegarra, Melany Elizabeth Chávez Cachay
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