Sense of coherence moderates the relationship between social capital and oral health‑related quality of life in schoolchildren: a 10-year cohort study

Abstract

Background This study aimed to evaluate the moderating effect of sense of coherence (SOC) on the relationship between social capital and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among schoolchildren. Methods A cohort study was conducted in the city of Santa Maria, Brazil, involving children aged 1–5 years at baseline who were reassessed after 10 years in adolescence (11–15 years-old). Social capital was assessed at baseline and follow-up through social networks and social trust. Sense of coherence scale (SOC-13) and the short form of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire 11–14 (CPQ11–14) were measured at 10-years follow-up. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, and dental caries were also evaluated. Moderating effect of SOC on the relationship between social capital and OHRQoL was tested using multilevel adjusted Poisson regression analysis and simple slope test. Results From the 639 subjects assessed at baseline, 429 were reassessed at follow-up (cohort retention rate 67.1%). Moderate and high levels of SOC demonstrated a moderating effect on the relationship between social capital and OHRQoL. Among individuals who presented low social capital at baseline and follow-up, those who had high SOC reported, respectively, an impact 63% and 70% lower on OHRQoL when compared to those with low SOC. The greatest margin effect was observed in individuals with low social capital and low SOC at follow-up (24.25; p < 0.05). Conclusion Our findings suggest that SOC moderates the negative impact of low social capital on poor OHRQoL in schoolchildren.

The Different Roles of Structural and Cognitive Social Capital on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among Adolescents

“…Social support exerts a fundamental role during adolescence since it is related to other psychosocial factors, such as sense of coherence, self-management, and personal strength to deal with life problems [ 34 ]. These factors have a significant impact on oral health outcomes at this stage of life [ 35 , 36 , 37 ], where individuals experience biopsychosocial changes and emotional adaptations according to social structures [ 18 , 19 , 36 ]. Therefore, cognitive social capital seems to represent a relevant aspect of OHRQoL among adolescents.…”

Impact of the use of dental services on dental pain according to adolescents’ skin colour: a 10-year cohort

“…Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these data collection procedures were suspended in March 2020 and recaptured in October of the same year. Other details and the results of the second phase of the study have already been published [ 37 ].…”

“…Moderation effects occur when the relationship between two variables is modified according to a third variable [ 42 ]. Our data were tested on a scale of multiplicative interactions, as in previous studies [ 37 , 43 ]. The multilevel structure of analysis considered individuals (level 1) nested in the 15 neighbourhoods (level 2).…”