Impact of body and orofacial appearance on adults' satisfaction with life

Introduction: An individual may adopt behaviors to change the body and/or develop mental symptoms or disorders based on the image mentally formed of their own physical appearance and comparing it with sociocultural standards. Thus, expanding knowledge about this image becomes relevant. For this purpose, the present study was conducted and presented in three chapters. Aims: 1. to translate and adapt the Orofacial Esthetics Scale (OES) into Portuguese and to estimate the psychometric properties of the OES and the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ) when applied to Brazilian adults; 2. to estimate the contribution of demographic characteristics on components of orofacial appearance (OA); 3. to develop a general model of physical appearance considering different components of body image (BI) and OA; and 4. to estimate the impact of physical appearance on Brazilian adults’ satisfaction with life. Methods: Validation studies and cross-sectional study were conducted. Psychometric instruments were used. Individuals aged 18 to 40 years participated in the study. Data validity and reliability were estimated. Structural models were developed and the trajectories (β) were estimated using z-test (α =5%). General model of physical appearance was elaborated using Principal Components Analysis and Parallel Analysis. Results: The Portuguese version of the OES was presented and the validity and reliability of the data obtained were attested (CFI=0.95; TLI=0.93; SRMR=0.05; α=0.90) in Chapter 1. The contribution of demographic characteristics on satisfaction with OA was weak (β≤0.20; p<0.001) or not statistically significant (p>0.05). In Chapter 2 the psychometric properties of PIDAQ when applied to dental patients were attested (CFI=0.92; TLI=0.92; SRMR=0,07; α≥0,77). People of a lower economic level, with tooth loss, who did not undergo previous esthetic dental treatment, and who did not like the own smile showed greater psychosocial impact related to OA (β=|0.10|–|0.48|; p<0.001). Chapter 3 presents a general model of physical appearance where three factors were retained for male (OA, BI cognitive/behavioral components, and BI affective/satisfaction components) and two factors were retained for female (OA and all BI components). Physical appearance had impact on satisfaction with life (β=|0.26|–|0.48|; p<0.001), and for men, the affective/satisfaction components had a greater impact than the other components. Individuals with higher levels of negative components related to BI and OA had lower satisfaction with life. Conclusion: OES and PIDAQ provided valid and reliable information when applied to adult individuals. Demographic characteristics should be considered for the elaboration of a patient-centered dental treatment plan. Differences in the construction of physical appearance were found between the sexes. OA and BI had a significant impact on satisfaction with life. The assessment of BI and OA together can provide professionals with information that moves them towards to the real patient's demands and expectations regarding an esthetic treatment. (AU)