- Sleep bruxism associated with trait anxiety and higher conscientiousness.
- Awake bruxism associated with state anxiety, depression, and higher neuroticism.
- Awake and sleep bruxism present distinct psychological and personality profiles; longitudinal studies needed to assess aetiological and clinical relevance.
Cranio. 2026 Aug 25:1-10. doi: 10.1080/08869634.2026.2723424. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Previous studies addressed the relationship between developing bruxism and personality traits yielded relatively inconsistent results. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate this relationship.
METHODS: 117 underwent psychological testing to assess trait anxiety, state anxiety, anger, and depression using STAI-T (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (trait)), STAI-S (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (state)), STAXI (State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory), and BDI-II (Beck Depression Inventory test). Personality trait was identified using the 20-item Big Five personality trait questionnaire. Awake bruxism (AB) and sleep bruxism (SB) were identified using electromyography and polysomnography, respectively, excluding participants with psychiatric distress.
RESULTS: SB was associated with anxiety trait, whereas, AB was associated with state anxiety and depression. Moreover, AB was associated with neurotic personality, whereas SB was associated with conscientiousness.
CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that AB and SB may present different psychological and personality-related profiles. However, longitudinal studies are needed to clarify whether these associations have etiological or clinical relevance.
PMID:42640198 | DOI:10.1080/08869634.2026.2723424
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