Forgiveness and Orofacial Pain
Abstract
Unforgiveness is a maladaptive cognitive style defined by the tendency to retain negative feelings toward individuals, situations, or even self. It has been associated with various chronic pain conditions, including low back pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic widespread pain, all of which are associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of unforgiveness in TMD pain patients referred to a tertiary Orofacial Pain Center. The secondary objective was to determine how forgiveness and unforgiveness relate to the type of TMD diagnosis, insomnia, pain severity, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance. This is a preliminary report of a retrospective chart review study examining data gathered from all new patients aged 18 years and older seen at the Orofacial Pain (OFP) Center at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School during their initial intake exam from 12 January 2022 through 15 June 2022 (N=30). Forgiveness, assessed with the Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS), was compared to pain and other self-reported measures to include demographic, affective, and functional characteristics. In this retrospective chart review of military associated OFP patients, direct correlation was noted between situational unforgiveness and anxiety/depression. No statistical correlation was noted between pain characteristics, age, or insomnia. Because anxiety and depression are predictors for the development of OFP, further investigation is warranted to discover any potential relationships and the extent thereof, particularly in the military environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 05, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1222396
Entities
People
- Thomas B. Reynolds
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences