The Impact of Gender, Depression, and Personality on Cravings

Abstract

Craving plays an important role in the addictive behavior process. The impact of gender, emotional state and personality on craving, however, has been understudied.

Craving plays an important role in the addictive behavior process. The impact of gender, emotional state and personality on craving, however, has been understudied.

Recency of substance use and impulsivity were significantly associated with craving intensity for both women and men. Regression analyses revealed that depression best predicted craving for women, but not for men.

These results suggest that while recent substance use and impulsivity can be important predictors of craving across gender, depression plays a critical role in craving among women. This finding underscores the need for vigorous assessment and treatment of comorbid symptomatology in women entering addiction treatment.

Key Words:

• Substance use disorders
• craving
• personality
• depression
• women
• gender