Association Of Parental Psychological Style In Children's Diet And Oral Hygiene: A CrossSectional Study Of Early Childhood.

Purpose: To investigate the association between parental psychological aspects, particularly locus of control and parenting style, and children's dietary and oral hygiene behaviors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with parents (parent, caregiver) of children aged three to six years who were residents in the municipality of Goianá, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Parents answered a questionnaire containing sociodemographic information and information about their children's diet and oral hygiene. In addition, parents responded to the Parental Health Locus of Control Scale (PHLCS) and the Parenting Style and Dimensions Questionnaire. Data analysis included descriptive analysis and binary logistic regression to identify associations between psychological aspects and children's habits. Results: A total of 98 parents responded to the questionnaires, 93.9 percent of whom were mothers. The average age of children was 62.0 (±11.3) months and the majority were female (55.6 percent). An increase in parents' "powerful others" locus of control score was associated with a higher likelihood (odds ratio [OR] equals 1.215; 95 percent confidence interval equals 1.036 to 1.424) of children consuming sugar three or more times per day, though no significant associations were found with toothbrushing frequency. There was no association between daily toothbrushing frequency and sociodemographic criteria and psychological aspects (P>0.05). Conclusions: The "powerful others" domain of the Parental Health Locus of Control Scale of parents was associated with the frequency of their children's sugar intake but other parental psychological aspects were not associated with children's brushing frequency.