Abstract

This correlational study investigated the association between Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD), burnout, and somatic symptoms in a sample of Portuguese adults (n=576), aiming to deepen the understanding of TMD as a biopsychosocial condition. A cross-sectional design was employed, comparing a clinical group diagnosed with TMD (n=217) and a community group (n=359), using the Burnout Assessment Tool-12 (BAT-12) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-15: Somatic Symptoms (PHQ-15). The results demonstrate a significant link between TMD and psychological well-being. Individuals diagnosed with TMD presented significantly higher levels of burnout and somatization compared to the group without TMD. Additionally, a positive correlation was found between TMD pain intensity and burnout and somatization levels. Linear regression analysis suggests that higher levels of burnout are associated with greater TMD severity, as are higher levels of somatization. These findings reinforce the role of psychological factors in the etiology and maintenance of TMD, highlighting the need for an interdisciplinary assessment and management that integrates somatic and psychosocial dimensions within the context of Stomatology.

Keywords

• Temporomandibular disorders
• Temporomandibular joint
• Burnout
• Somatization
• biopsychosocial model

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• Temporomandibular Disorders

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