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The relationship between arousability, as measured by the Arousal Predisposition Scale, and bruxism was computed for groups of 41 male and 75 female university undergraduates as a further test of the hypothesis that bruxism is a stress-linked disorder. Contrary to our prediction, arousability was not related to bruxism in men and the relationship between these variables for women was significant but relatively weak. When considered with other studies, these data provide a clearer focus for further study of the stress-bruxism hypothesis.

Diurnal bruxists and normals were compared in responsiveness to stress and on psychological status. Results indicated that masseter EMG activity was significantly higher at rest for bruxists than normals, that bruxists responded differentially more to stress than normals, and that no significant differences were present between bruxists and normals on the psychological measures.