A Multivariate Descriptive Model of Motivation for Orthodontic Treatment

Motivation for receiving orthodontic treatment is systematically investigated and a multivariate model of this process advanced. An interview schedule is developed out of a mapping sentence and administered to a sample of respondents all of whom had been previously classified as having high need for orthodontic treatment (n = 109). Smallest Space Analyses (SSA) of this data revealed two facets of motivation; treatment reason and information source. The elements of each of these facets (treatment reason =psychological, physical health; source = self, family, dentist) are discussed. Partial Order Scalogram Analysis by base Coordinates (POSAC) is used to demonstrate the roles played by each facet element in structuring motivations. This reflected internal versus external forms of motivation. In this family sources and psychological reasons (internal) form the first dimension of differentiation between respondents, the second (external) being made up of physical reasons. The dentist and self sources were found to play relatively minor roles.