Impulsivity and positive psychotic symptoms influence hostility in methamphetamine users.
Methamphetamine (MA) use is associated with hostility, aggression, and positive psychotic symptoms. However, little is known of the processes or mechanisms that underlie this relationship. The present research was designed to investigate putative mediating and moderating variables between MA dependence and hostility in a sample of injecting MA users (N=237). Both positive symptoms of psychosis and higher levels of impulsivity functioned as mediators and moderators of this relationship. This pattern of findings suggests that MA use leads to greater hostility by increasing positive psychotic symptoms that contribute to a perception of the environment as a hostile and threatening place as well as by increasing impulsivity. Those who were high in positive symptoms and high in impulsivity were the most hostile. Individual differences in impulsivity and positive psychotic symptoms should be taken into account in the assessment and management of MA dependence.
Lapworth
Kely
K
School of Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, 4111 Australia.
Dawe
Sharon
S
Davis
Penelope
P
Kavanagh
David
D
Young
Ross
R
Saunders
John
J
D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D001315:Australia; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000187:drug effects; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008694:Methamphetamine