Personality and substance use disorders: a prospective study

J Consult Clin Psychol. 2000 Oct;68(5):818-29.

Abstract

The personality systems of Cloninger (as measured by the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire [TPQ]) and Eysenck (as measured by the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire [EPQ]) both have been linked to substance use and abuse. The current study examined the predictive utility of both systems for substance use disorder (SUD) diagnoses, both cross-sectionally and prospectively. Participants (N = 489 at baseline) completed the EPQ and TPQ and were assessed via structured diagnostic interview at baseline and 6 years later (N = 457 at follow-up). Both the EPQ and TPQ scales demonstrated bivariate cross-sectional and prospective associations with SUDs. Within each system, those dimensions marking a broad impulsive sensation-seeking or behavioral disinhibition trait were the best predictors prospectively, although the 2 systems were differentially sensitive to specific diagnoses. These relations remained significant even with autoregressivity, other concurrent SUD diagnoses, and multiple personality dimensions statistically controlled.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Impulsive Behavior / psychology
  • Inhibition, Psychological
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Personality Disorders / diagnosis
  • Personality Inventory / standards*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk-Taking
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Substance-Related Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology