Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of psychological factors as mediators in thecasual relationship between mouth dryness and oral health-related quality of life of adults and to exploregender differences in what psychological factors play an important role in mediating the path of mouthdryness to quality of life.Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 321 adults who are above 20 and under65 years of age. Collected data were analyzed via statistical packages using a multi-group analysisthrough the SEM (Structural Equation Model).Results: Based on the statistical analysis, stress was a major psychological factor in male subjects.While depression served as a main mediator in female subjects. We discovered that the path coefficientsof the following paths showed significant gender differences: mouth dryness → depression, depression→ quality of life, stress → quality of life.Conclusions: A gender-specific approach regarding effective prevention of stress and depression maybe important for understanding the relationship between mouth dryness and quality of life.

Keywords: Depression, Mouth dryness, Oral health, Quality of life, Stress