O.F. Molina, C.A. Rodrígues dos Santos, R.F. Marquezan, M.L. Cano, F.F. da Silva Junior, A. Alves de Carvalho and L.K. Silva Hassumi

Aim: The understanding of psychological correlates of Craniomandibular disorders and Bruxing Behavior has seen significant progress in the last few years. However, studies evaluating association between more complex psychological measures in such disorders are extremely scarce. To investigate this, we evaluated frequency of sexual abuse history in the experimental and two control groups and scores in depression, somatization and dissociation in those with Craniomandibular Disorders and Bruxism with/without sexual abuse history.

Methods: Clinical examination, self-report, chief complaint, criteria for craniomandibular disorders and bruxism, the Becker-Lausen Questionnaire for sexual abuse were used in the Craniomandibular Disorder+ Bruxing Behavior, and in two control subgroups to gather data about sexual abuse history. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), 32 questions from the Screening Somatoform Disorders (SOMS-2) instrument and the Dissociative Experience Scale (DES) were used in the Craniomandibular Disorder + Bruxism + Sexual Abuse (n=39), in the Craniomandibular Disorder + Bruxism with no sexual abuse subgroup (n=158) and in the no Craniomandibular Disorders no Sexual Abuse subgroup (n=50) so as to gather data about depression, somatization and dissociation, respectively.

Results: We show that there was no a statistically significant difference when comparing frequency of sexual abuse history in the experimental and in the two control groups. Means in depression were about 14.7; 11.4; and 9.3 in the Craniomandibular Disorder + Bruxism and Sexual abuse, in the Craniomandibular Disorder + Bruxism with no sexual abuse history, and in the no Craniomandibular Disorders no Sexual abuse history subgroups, respectively (Kruskall-Wallis statistics with post test p<0.02). Means in somatization were 12.1, 10.3, and 8.0, respectively in those subgroups (p<0.006). Means in dissociation were about 22.3, 15.6, and 15.2, respectively (p<0.007).