The relationship between chronotype and personality among patients with alcohol dependence syndrome: Pilot study

ABSTRACT

The study investigates the distribution of chronotypes among alcohol-dependent subjects and the relationship between personality and chronotype. Fifty-eight alcohol-dependent patients and 29 age-matched healthy controls were studied using Ogińska’s Chronotype Questionnaire (ChQ), Eysenck’s Personality Questionnaire – Revised (EPQ-R), Selzer’s Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) and a sociodemographic status questionnaire designed by the authors. The alcohol-dependent patients tended to be morning type, based on the morningness–eveningness ChQ scale, with a weakly marked rhythm, based on the distinctness ChQ scale. Preference towards morningness was associated with older age, but no relation between chronotype and severity of alcohol dependence was found. A high amplitude of the rhythm was associated with higher neuroticism. Therefore, despite being in the minority, patients with a distinct circadian rhythm (i.e. with a high amplitude) are at greater risk of mood and anxiety disorders and hence should be given special consideration.

KEYWORDS:

• Morning and evening chronotypes
• alcohol dependence
• personality

Declaration of interest

All authors confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome.

Funding

This research was granted by the Dean of Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Lodz.

Additional information

Funding

This research was granted by the Dean of Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Lodz.