Citation

Laqua C, Soyka M. Nervenheilkd. 2016; 35(6): 409-417.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Georg Thieme Verlag)

DOI

10.1055/s-0037-1616395

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

We analysed the association of aggressive and impulsive behaviour in Alcoholics with the clinical parameters sex, family history, amount of drink, age of onset as well as psychiatric disorders and suicides.

METHODS: The study included 468 alcoholic patients (364 men and 104 women). Behavioural and personality traits were evaluated using the self-report questionnaires Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), Buss Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI), Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and NEO-Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). A median split in in BIS, Buss Durkee Physical Assault, Buss Durkee Irritability, TCI and NEO-FFI was conducted.

RESULTS: No association could be detected between aggressive behaviour and sex or positive family history regarding alcoholism. However, we were able to make out significant results for age of onset, daily amount of drink and psychiatric disorders including suicides. Alcohol dependent patients with higher scores in the categories impulsivity, irritability, physical assault and novelty seeking presented a significant younger age of onset. Also, patients who scored higher in irritability, physical assault and novelty seeking consumed more pure alcohol per day than patients with lower scores in these categories. The occurrence of suicide attempts was associated with higher scores in irritability, physical assault as well as neuroticism and with lower scores in extraversion. Our results were only partly consistent with Cloningers' classification of alcoholism in two patterns (Type I and II).

CONCLUSION: Our results reveal an association of aggressive/impulsive behaviour in Alcoholics with some clinical parameters but not with sex and family history. It can be assumed that Cloningers' prototypes are only two extremes on a continuous scale of possible manifestations of alcohol abuse. © Schattauer 2016.

Language: de

Keywords

human; gender; suicide; female; male; Review; Alcohol; alcoholism; Aggression; aggression; suicide attempt; Age of onset; Sex; alcohol consumption; major clinical study; mental disease; controlled study; disease classification; disease association; self report; neurosis; impulsiveness; assault; family history; irritability; onset age; Psychiatric disorders; extraversion; Article; Barratt Impulsiveness Scale; medical parameters; Family history; personality assessment; Buss Durkee Hostility Inventory; Temperament and Character Inventory; Amount of drink; mental function assessment; NEO-Five-Factor Inventory