Citation

Evren C, Dalbudak E. Klin. Psikofarmakol. Bül. 2009; 19(1): 15-23.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Kadıköy Hachette Yayıncılık)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation of personality trait impulsivity with different psychopathologies and severity of alcohol-related problems among male alcohol dependent inpatients.

METHOD: The following tests were administered to 176 male alcohol dependent inpatients: "Impulsiveness" subscale of the Temperament and Character Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Dissociative Experiences Scale, Symptom Checklist-Revised, and Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test.

RESULTS: Mean score of personality trait impulsivity was higher among those with early onset alcoholism, suicide attempt history, depression, state anxiety, trait anxiety, alexithymia, and dissociative taxon membership. Personality trait impulsivity showed mild negative correlation with age at first alcohol use, mild positive correlations with depression and dissociation scores and moderate correlations with other scales used in the present study. No significant correlations were found with age, duration of education, and duration of regular alcohol use. The severity of trait anxiety and problems related to alcohol use were the only predictors of impulsivity in regression model.

CONCLUSIONS: Although personality trait impulsivity might be related to early onset alcoholism, suicide attempt history, and a broad range of psychopathology, only trait anxiety and severity of alcohol-related problems predicted impulsiveness. Since this was a study in cross-sectional design, the question of causal relationship between impulsivity and trait anxiety or problems related to alcohol use still remains unanswered and need further research.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; Anxiety; Depression; male; Alcohol; aged; alcoholism; depression; anxiety; suicide attempt; disease severity; Impulsiveness; Psychopathology; alcohol consumption; article; major clinical study; controlled study; rating scale; impulsiveness; personality test