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Problematic internet use among people with dentofacial deformity: a preliminary study
Marta Kożybska1, Justyna Szpyt2, Kacper Pajor2
1Subdepartment of Medical Law, Department of Social Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
|March 20, 2025
Summary
Individuals with Class III malocclusion have a significantly higher risk of problematic internet use (PIU). This is linked to appearance concerns and discomfort in social situations, highlighting the need for psychological support.
Area of Science:
- Orthodontics and Dental Health
- Psychology and Behavioral Science
- Digital Health and Internet Studies
Background:
- Class III malocclusion involves mandibular protrusion and facial structure changes, often leading to psychosocial difficulties like low self-esteem and negative body image.
- These psychological factors are associated with an increased risk of problematic internet use (PIU).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of problematic internet use (PIU) in individuals with Class III malocclusion compared to a control group.
- To explore correlations between PIU and specific psychosocial factors in Class III malocclusion patients.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 170 participants (85 with Class III malocclusion, 85 controls) aged 18-42 years.
- Data collected via questionnaires assessing malocclusion status, PIU, and psychosocial factors like discomfort with attention and appearance concerns.
Main Results:
- Participants with Class III malocclusion exhibited significantly higher PIU scores than the control group (p < 0.001).
- 45.9% of Class III malocclusion patients showed a high risk of internet addiction, versus 9.4% in the control group (p < 0.001).
- Weak but significant correlations were found between PIU scores and discomfort with attention (rho = 0.284) and appearance concerns (rho = 0.272) in the Class III group.
Conclusions:
- Individuals with Class III malocclusion face a substantially elevated risk of problematic internet use.
- Psychological support, including PIU prevention strategies, is crucial for patients with appearance-altering conditions like Class III malocclusion.
