An assessment of relationships between the five-factor personality model and the morphology and function of the stomathognatic system

Adv Clin Exp Med. 2012 Sep-Oct;21(5):637-43.

Abstract

Background: The personality as a system of genetically predetermined features is responsible for modifying relations between an individual's genotype and phenotype. The key element linking personality with facial morphology is the muscular system.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between facets of the five-factor personality model (FFM) domains and both the morphology and function of the stomathognatic system.

Material and methods: Two hundred volunteers (100 female and 100 male) aged 20 to 25 (mean age: 23.4) underwent anthropometric measurements to calculate the anterior face height ratio N-Sn/Sn-Gn. For cephalometric analysis, standard right-profile images of the face were used. Calibration was performed with a 100-mm metal ruler placed next to each photographed individual. The Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R), which includes 240 statements, was used for personality assessment in order to investigate the five main personality domains: neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, conscientiousness and six facets within each domain.

Results: The results show significant correlations between factors of the personality such as neuroticism (r = 0.3488; p = 0.0000) and extraversion (r = -0.3405; p = 0.0000) and the inclination angle (FH/HOR) as the predictor of the function of the stomathognatic system. Additionally, the correlation analysis revealed a significant positive association between the anterior face height ratio and anxiety (r = 0.3952; p = 0.0000).

Conclusions: The results of this study indicate a selective association between personality and both the morphology and function of the stomathognatic system

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Calibration
  • Cephalometry / standards
  • Extraversion, Psychological
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Models, Psychological*
  • Neuroticism
  • Personality Inventory
  • Personality*
  • Phenotype
  • Stomatognathic System / anatomy & histology*
  • Stomatognathic System / physiology*
  • Young Adult