PROLONGED ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT, PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING, AND FRUSTRATION IN PAKISTANI ADULTS: A QUANTITATIVE COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Background: Frustration and psychological well-being are critical factors influencing the experiences of orthodontic patients, particularly during prolonged treatment durations. While global research has explored the psychosocial impacts of orthodontic care, there is limited evidence addressing these variables within the Pakistani population. Cultural stigmas surrounding mental health and extended treatment durations may further exacerbate emotional distress, necessitating a focused investigation into these associations.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between treatment duration and its effects on frustration and psychological well-being among adult orthodontic patients in Pakistan, comparing those with treatment durations of less than four years to those exceeding four years.

Methods: A cross-sectional correlational research design was employed, and purposive sampling was used to recruit 343 participants from public and private hospitals in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. Eligibility criteria included patients aged 18 years or older who had undergone at least six months of orthodontic treatment. The sample consisted of 273 men (80%) and 70 women (20%), with a mean age of 24.58 years (SD = 4.09). Data were collected using two validated instruments: the 18-item Psychological Well-being Scale and the 28-item Frustration Discomfort Scale. Correlational analysis and independent samples t-tests were performed using SPSS version 29.

Results: A significant negative correlation (r = -0.10, p < .01) was found between frustration and psychological well-being. Patients with treatment durations of more than four years reported higher frustration (M = 75.91, SD = 13.40) and lower psychological well-being (M = 68.31, SD = 15.55) compared to those treated for less than four years (frustration: M = 74.68, SD = 8.89; psychological well-being: M = 70.38, SD = 17.00). However, these differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Prolonged orthodontic treatment appears to negatively influence psychological well-being and increase frustration, though without significant statistical evidence. These findings highlight the importance of addressing psychological factors during extended orthodontic care, particularly in culturally sensitive contexts like Pakistan.