AUTHOR=Gao Xinlin , Zhong Jiawei , Li Hanchao , Pei Yapeng , Li Xixin , Zhang Siyu , Yue Yuan , Xiong Xin 

TITLE=The relationship between perfectionism, self-perception of orofacial appearance, and mental health in college students

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1154413

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2023.1154413

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Background</title><p>In dental clinical practice, self-perception of orofacial appearance is highly correlated with treatment satisfaction. Therefore, it is important to explore factors correlated with self-perception of orofacial appearance. Perfectionism may be one such factor. This study investigated the role of perfectionism in self-perception of orofacial appearance.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>Participants completed an online questionnaire that included demographic data, a measure of perfectionism, a measure of self-perception of orofacial appearance (including body image, smile appearance concern, and self-esteem), and a measure of anxiety and depression.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>High perfectionism scores significantly predicted greater age, body image, smile appearance concern, and mental health scores and lower self-esteem scores (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.005). After adjusting for possible confounding variables, smile appearance concern largely disappeared. Mental health acted as a mediator in the relationships between perfectionism and three orofacial appearance characteristics.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p>High perfectionism predicted higher self-perception of body image, and lower mental health and self-esteem in college students. Mental health could mediate the relationships between perfectionism and self-perception of orofacial appearance.</p></sec>