A study of emotion versus cognition in dental anxiety : will Robyn and Molly suppress the experience
Authors
Boon, Annmarie
Issue Date
2006
Degree
BA in Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate state and trait anxiety in child patients. 41 paediatric patients of the Dublin Dental Hospital participated in the research. Participants completed the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale, which assessed trait anxiety, and the Facial Image Scale, which assessed state anxiety. A mixed design was employed, with three independent variables, gender, treatment and age. The dependent variables were pre and post dental anxiety scores. Trait anxiety was assessed in relation to pre and post dental anxiety scores. State anxiety was assessed regarding appointment and treatment over three time periods (pre, post and follow-up). The findings of this study showed (l) a significant difference in pre and post dental anxiety scores (t (40) = 2.020, p< 0.05), (2) a significant difference in pre and post dental anxiety scores (t (40) = 2.020, p< 0.05), (3) no significant difference between gender and pre dental anxiety scores (t (37.121) -.497, p > 0.05) or for post dental anxiety scores (t (33.181) = -.126, p > 0.05), (4) no significant difference between age and pre dental anxiety scores (t (28.474) -.914, p > 0.05) or for post dental anxiety scores (t (33.837) = .309, p > 0.05), (5) no significant difference between treatment and pre dental anxiety scores (t (28.474) -.914, p> 0.05) or for dental anxiety scores (t (19.529) = -1.140, p > 0.05). In addition, the findings of this study also showed a difference in state anxiety over three time periods, pre, post and follow-up with regard to appointment and treatment which indicated that participants emotional state showed a significant difference at follow-up. These findings suggest that memory does not interfere with the suppression of dental anxiety and also that emotional states such as anxiety do not counteract successful suppression attempts.