TITLE:
Association between Purpose in Life/(Ikigai), Prefrontal Cortex Function, and the Prevention of Halitosis Caused by Mental Stress, Pseudo-Halitosis, and Halitophobia
AUTHORS:
Riichiro Ishida
KEYWORDS:
Purpose in Life/Ikigai, Prefrontal Cortex Function, Stressful Events, Halitosi
JOURNAL NAME:
Psychology,
Vol.7 No.3,
March
11,
2016
ABSTRACT: Halitosis is a condition characterized by
unpleasant oral odor or oral malodor problems that can lead to social and psychological
impediments; it can be either genuine halitosis or pseudo-halitosis. One of the
extra-oral conditions of genuine halitosis is mental stress, which causes a
reduction in both saliva secretion and the presence of salivary lysing agents
known as lysozymes, leading to oral malodor. Even in the absence of objective
oral malodor, persons with pseudo-halitosis complain of halitosis symptoms,
while those with halitophobia have a fear of halitosis. Genuine halitosis
caused by stress, pseudo-halitosis, and halitophobia may all be due to anxiety
resulting from an excessive need of approval from others. Purpose in life
(PIL)/(ikigai), which is related to prefrontal cortex function, has been shown to
be an effective way to manage stressful events, and is negatively correlated
with an excessive need of approval from others. PIL/(ikigai), similar to prefrontal cortex function, develops through positive
experiences from infancy to adolescence, such as spending time in beautiful
natural surroundings, having success at meeting valued goals, and gaining
empathetic acceptance and affection from others. Understanding the traits and
developmental conditions associated with PIL/(ikigai) and prefrontal cortex function could improve the ability of
individuals to manage stressful events, thereby promoting the prevention of
halitosis, pseudo-halitosis, and halitophobia. The present proposal could
contribute to future empirical research.