PERSONALITY FACTORS AND DRUG OF CHOICE IN FEMALE ADDICTS WITH PSYCHIATRIC COMORBIDITY

Abstract

Female addicts (N = 108) with a mean age of 37.2 were tested using the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) in 1996–97. In a representative sub-sample (N = 49) assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview, DSMIIIr (SCID), 82% manifested an axis-1-syndrome (lifetime), and 53% a personality disorder. Of the 108 addicts, 42 preferred alcohol, 14 heroin, 33 amphetamines, and 19 benzodiazepines. Maturity was low, but there were no differences in maturity between drug preference groups. Results indicated that those less mature were more “novelty-seeking” and “harm-avoidant”, while those maturer tended to be more persistent. Less mature persons answered less consistently. They agreed more with different items and their answers were more rare when compared to the general population. Heroin addicts were less sentimental and helpful and more aware of their own resources. Benzodiazepine and amphetamine addicts were more self-transcendent and self-forgetful. Among the relatively more mature, benzodiazepine addicts scored higher than heroin and alcohol addicts on “true” and rare answers. In conclusion, maturity and the drug of choice among female addicts were related to different TCI scales.

• TCI
• SCID
• Drug preference
• Maturity
• Compulsory commitment

RESUMEN

Mujeres drogodependientes (N = 108) con una edad media de 37.2 años fueron examinadas usando el “Inventario del Temperamento y del Carácter (TCI).” Una subpoblación representativa (N = 49) fue examinada usando el “Entrevista Clínica Estructurada, DSMIIIr (SCID).” Según el SCID, un 82% padecían un síndrome-eje-1 (de por vida) y un 53% padecían de un trastorno de la personalidad. De las 108 adictas, 42 preferían el alcohol, 14 la heroína, 33 las anfetaminas, y 19 los tranquilizantes. El grado de madurez era bajo, aunque no se observaron diferencias según el tipo de droga consumida. Los resultados indicaron que aquèllas menos maduras eran las que más buscaban las novedades y las que más evitaban lo peligroso, mientras que las más maduras mostaron tendencia a ser más persistentes. Las drogodependientes con un menor grado de madurez tambièn contestaron menos consecuentemente. Estaban más de acuerdo en diferentes puntos y sus respuestas se alejaban más de las de la población general. Las adictas a la heroína eran menos sensibles y serviciales y más conscientes de sus propios recursos. Las adictas a los tranquilizantes y a las anfetaminas se superaban más a sí mismas y eran más desinteresadas. Entre las relativamente más maduras, las adictas a los tranquilizantes obtuvieron un mayor n° de respuestas “verdadero” y de respuestas poco corrientes que las adictas a la heroína y al alcohol. En conclusión, la madurez de las drogodependientes y la droga consumida estaban relacionadas con las diferentes escalas de TCI.

RÉSUMÉ

Des femmes toxicomanes (N = 108) ayant un âge moyen de 37,2 ans ont subi un test faisant appel au TCI (sigle anglais pour “the Temperament and Character Inventory” ou inventaire du tempérament et caractère). Selon un sous-èchantillon reprèsentatif (N = 49) èvaluè par SCID, (sigle anglais pour “the Structured Clinical Interview on DSMIIIr” ou l’interview clinique structurèe sur le DSMIIIr), 82% d’entre elles souffraient (à vie) du syndrome de l’axis-1 et 53% d’entre elles d’un trouble caractèriel. Sur un total de 108 femmes toxicomanes, 42 avaient prèfèrè l’alcool, 14 l’hèroïne, 33 les amphètamines, et 19 les benzodiazèpines. Le niveau de maturitè ètait faible, mais il n’y avait pas de diffèrences, en termes de maturitè, parmi les groupes ayant des prèfèrences toxiques diffèrentes. Les rèsultats ont montrè que les personnes les moins mûres ètaient plus enclines à rechercher des nouveautès et à èviter les actes nuisibles, tandis que les personnes plus mûres avaient tendance à être plus tenaces. Moins les personnes ètaient mûres, moins les rèponses ètaient cohèrentes. Elles approuvaient plus souvent des questions diverses et, comparèes à la population gènèrale, leurs rèponses ètaient plus rares. Les hèroÏnomanes ètaient moins sentimentales et moins serviables, mais plus conscientes de leurs propres ressources. Les toxicomanes à la benzodiazèpine et à l’amphètamine ètaient plus autotranscendantes et plus autodistraites. Parmi les femmes plus mûres, les toxicomanes à la benzodiazèpine avaient, en termes de rèponses “vraies” et rares, enregistrè plus de points que celles alcooliques. En conclusion, la maturitè et le choix du stupèfiant parmi les femmes toxicomanes ètaient rattachès à des èchelles TCI diffèrentes.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Arne Gerdner

Arne Gerdner, Ph.D. in Psychiatry and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counsellor (ICRC), is Assistant Professor at the Department of Social Work, Mid-Sweden University in Östersund. His research has been in outcomes of compulsory treatment for alcoholics and drug addicts, clinical trials, national cohort studies on patient profiles, quality of care, motivation to treatment, housing projects with homeless alcoholics, long-term survival in addicts, the nosology of alcohol dependence, psychiatric comorbidity and childhood trauma in female addicts.

Torsten Nordlander

Torsten Norlander, Ph.D., is Associate Professor at the Department of Psychology, University of Karlstad. His research has focused on the impact of alcohol in psychological processes, especially the relation between alcohol and creativity. Another research interest is the psychology of sports, achievement and performance, and restricted environmental stimulation techniques (e.g., floatation tank). The latter concern the influence of basic personality traits, e.g. optimism, on performance.

Therese Pedersen

Therese Pedersen, Bachelor of Social Work, is a Social Welfare Secretary in the municipality of Borås. She is currently involved in assessment and support for families in need, and handles social welfare allowance. She has experience as a Welfare Officer for addicts in treatment. Her thesis concerned personality and drug preference.