The relationship between temperament and fearfulness in adult dental phobic patients

Background: Temperament has been associated with dental fear (DF) and dental behavioural management problems (DBMP) in children, but little is known about what role temperament plays in the aetiology of DF. Thus, measures of temperament suitable for use among children, adolescents, and adults would be of value for longitudinal and family studies of DF, where relations between children's and parent's ratings are investigated. Aim: Our aim was to explore the adapted EASI (emotionality, activity, sociability, and impulsivity) in adult patients, and to evaluate the instrument in comparison with established measures of DF and general emotional reactions in adults. Design: The subjects were 230 adult patients applying for treatment for DF and 41 nonfearful patients (reference group). Questionnaires investigated temperament (general and DF) and general anxiety and depression. Results: The previously described factor structure of the EASI among children was confirmed and the adapted EASI had acceptable psychometric qualities. Emotionality correlated with DF and with measures of general psychological distress. No differences were found in mean scores of EASI dimensions between DF group and the reference group, which was in contrast with studies in children. Conclusions: The adapted EASI seem promising for use in future longitudinal and familial studies of development of DF and DBMP.