[Personality differences between alcohol abusers and matched controls: Relation to frontal symptoms and subtypes of addicts].
Epidemiological studies usually show a link between personality disorders and addictions. Dimensional models of personality, such as that of Cloninger, are able to diagnose and discriminate between transient dysfunctional behavior styles and relatively more stable traits. Certain brain areas have been proposed, as trait locations, based on their activation. This paper explores differences in personality traits among a sample of alcohol abusers (N= 95) and a control group of non-clinical population (N= 95), matched in sociodemographic variables, using the TCI-R-67 and the FrSBe-Sp. It is hypothesized that such differences are associated with frontal symptomatology. The existence of different subgroups of addicts based on certain combinations of traits is also analyzed. Results showed significant differences in two temperament traits (Novelty Seeking and Harm Avoidance) and a characterial trait (Self-Direction). We also found a correlation with a large effect size between these traits and frontal symptomatology. Cluster analysis classified the participants into several subtypes with different combinations of traits that matched diverse frontal symptomatology. Possible neurobiological explanations of these differences and their importance in the clinical practice are discussed.
Instituto de Adicciones, Madrid, Spain. ejpedrero@yahoo.es
Eduardo José
EJ
Pedrero Pérez
José María
JM
Ruiz Sánchez de León
Alvaro
A
Olivar Arroyo
Gloria
G
Rojo Mota
Marcos
M
Llanero Luque
Carmen
C
Puerta García
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005106:Exploratory Behavior; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology*; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008959:Models, Neurological; D008960:Models, Psychological; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010551:Personality; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012201:Reward; D013694:Temperament; D055815:Young Adult