Emotional traits and affective temperaments in alcohol users, abusers and dependents in a national sample.
BACKGROUND
It is unclear how temperament is related to alcohol-related behavior in large population studies. We have used the Affective and Emotional Composite Temperament Scale (AFECTS) model to evaluate how emotional traits and affective temperaments are associated with alcohol use, abuse, and dependence in the general population.


METHODS
Data from 10,603 subjects (mean age=28.0±7.8 years, 70.3% females) was collected anonymously by the Internet in Brazil using the AFECTS model and the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Alcohol use was stratified into control, low use, abuse, and dependence groups.


RESULTS
The analysis of dimensional traits showed that Volition and Coping were lower, and Sensitivity was higher, in the abuse and dependence groups, with no differences between the Control and the Low Use groups. Alcohol consumption was also associated with lower Control, Stability, and Caution, and higher with Anger, Anxiety, and Desire, with significant differences between all groups. Regarding affective temperament types, alcohol abuse and dependence were associated with euphoric and cyclothymic temperaments in both genders, which was mirrored by a lower frequency of both euthymic and hyperthymic types. Only hyperthymics were overrepresented in the Control group for both genders.


CONCLUSIONS
Data was collected by Internet only.


CONCLUSIONS
A global dysfunction of emotional traits and a predominance of cyclothymic and euphoric temperaments were associated with alcohol-related behavior. Prevention and treatment strategies may be developed more effectively if these traits are taken into account.
Programa de Pós-Graduação da Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências da Saúde da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Leticia
L
Leite
Programa de Pós-Graduação da Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências da Saúde da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Faculdade de Biociências-PUCRS, Av. Ipiranga, 6681-Pd12A, Porto Alegre, RS 90619-900, Brazil.
Leonardo N
LN
Machado
Programa de Pós-Graduação da Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências da Saúde da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Faculdade de Biociências-PUCRS, Av. Ipiranga, 6681-Pd12A, Porto Alegre, RS 90619-900, Brazil. Electronic address: drlara@pucrs.br.
Diogo R
DR
Lara
D000328:Adult; D064829:Alcohol Abstinence / Q000523:psychology; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D000786:Anger; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005059:Euphoria; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013694:Temperament
Abuse; Alcohol dependence; Emotion; Internet; Personality; Temperament