The assessment of personality, anxiety and depression in mandibular pain dysfunction subjects

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Abstract
The search for distinct personality characteristics of mandibular pain dysfunction patients has produced confusing and contradictory results. In an attempt to clarify this area of research, reliable measures of personality (MMPI) [Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory], anxiety (Speilberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), and depression (Beck Depression Inventory) were assessed in 10 subjects with a history of facial pain and TMJ [temporomandibular joint] sounds. Two control groups, one with TMJ sounds only and the other with no history of these symptoms, were matched for sex. The groups did not differ on any of these measures. Discussion focuses on possible explanations for the failure to find any differences in these measures and on the future of personality assessment in mandibular pain dysfunction populations.