engleski

Neoclassical canons in today’s faces of adolescents and young adults and potential psychosocial repercussions of deviations from canons

AIM: The aim was to explore the presence of neoclassical canons today and to investigate potential psychosocial effects occurring as a result of deviations from canons. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study was cross- sectional and the sample included 249 subjects (60% female) aged 12-39 (median 20, interquartile range 16-22 years). Subjects were pupils, students and patients of the University Dental Clinic in Rijeka, Croatia. En face and profile photographs were made in Natural Head Position and a gauge was used. Photogrammetry included analysis of 9 neoclassical canons originating from the renaissance period (relations between proposed equal facial proportions including head height, facial height, facial thirds, facial quarters, widths of eye, nose, intercanthal width, nose and ear length, and lower face thirds). Psychometric instruments included Self-esteem scale and three domains of Orthognatic Quality of Life Questionnaire - Social Aspect of dentofacial aesthetics, Facial Aesthetics Concern and Awareness of dentofacial aesthetics. In order to classify examinees into two groups (group with significant deviation from canons and group with insignificant deviation), z values of deviation were calculated for each examinee and then results were dichotomised based on deflection from one standard deviation from canons (0=no significant deviation, 1= significant deviation). T-test was performed in statistical analysis. RESULTS: Significant deviation from neoclassical facial beauty canons were observed in 55-65% of adolescents and young adults. Gender and age had no correlation with deviations. Examinees with significant deviation in nose-ear proportion canon (nose length=ear length) reported higher Aesthetics Concern when compared to ones with no significant deviation (4.1 vs. 3.2 ; p<0.05). Significant deviation in equal facial quarters canon, precisely in upper face height (distance between glabella and subnasale) correlated with higher Social Aspect (4.8 vs. 3.2 ; p<0.05). Ones who demonstrate significant deviation from nose- mouth canon (mouth width=1.5 nose width) noted less Awareness of dentofacial aesthetics (4.9 vs. 5.8 ; p<0.05). No correlation between deviations from canons and self-esteem was found. CONCLUSION: It seems that neoclassical canons of beauty are still present in roughly half of young adults and adolescents. Ones with deviations from canons appear to be most bothered by disproportions of nose to other facial features.

neoclassical canons; photogrammetry; psycosocial effect

Dio projekta 13.06.2.1.53 (voditelj Stjepan Špalj) koji financira Sveučilište u Rijeci.