Social Support and Optimism in Relation to the Oral Health of Young Adults

Background Psychosocial factors largely external to the individual—such as social support and those that are inherently dispositional, like optimism—may both play a role in determining oral health outcomes and serve to buffer the effect of each other. Purpose The aim of this study was to assess associations of social support and optimism on oral health. Method In 2005–2006, n = 1,859 persons around 30 years old were surveyed to collect data on social support, optimism, oral health-related quality of life, and caries experience. Results Unadjusted analyses found high social support associated ( P