The Relation of Brain Behavioral Systems, D Personality Type, Anger and Hostility in People with Gum Disease

Gum disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gum structures. Given the importance of psychological factors and their impact on physical condition such as gum disease, the aim of this study was to investigate D personality type, brain behavioral systems and anger and hostility in people with gum disease. In this causal-comparative study, 50 women with and 50 women without gum disease (age range from 14 to 37) were selected using purposive sampling method and completed the questionnaires of multidimensional anger (Sigel, 1986), D personality type scale, Behavioral inhibition/activation system. MANOVA was used for data analysis. Data analysis showed that groups had significant differences in behavioral inhibition system, behavioral activation system and its components (response to drives, fun seeking, reward responsiveness), D personality type and its components (negative affectivity, social inhibition), anger-arousal, hostile attitude and anger-in (p<0.05), but there were no differences in anger arousing situations and anger-out between them. People with gum disease score higher in BIS, and lower in BAS than normal people, and score higher in D personality type and its components, anger-arousal, hostile outlook, and anger-in. This suggests that psychological factors play a significant role in developing and continuing gum disease and possibly other psychosomatic disorders. So this study focuses on the decisive role of psychological treatments in prevention and promotion of physical and psychological health of people.