Five-factor model personality traits in opioid dependence

Personality traits as predictors of recovery among patients with substance use disorder

INTRODUCTION

Substance use disorder (SUD) is often considered a chronic illness in which prolonged recovery, in terms of abstinence, is uncommon. Personality has been found to predict recovery, but not much is known about its long-term predictive ability as the majority of previous studies have had short follow-up periods (≥ one year). The current longitudinal cohort study therefore investigated whether personality traits predict short- (STR) as well as long-term recovery (LTR) in SUD patients.

METHODS

Treatment-seeking patients with SUD (n = 123) completed the NEO Personality Inventory - Revised. STR and LTR categories were defined as scoring <8 on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test - C and <2 on the Drug Use Disorder Identification Test - C at the one-year and 6-8-year follow-up, respectively. Whether personality traits predicted outcome was investigated by two-tailed independent samples t-tests, α < 0.05. Additional analysis was conducted with latent growth curve model.

RESULTS

Neuroticism (inversely, p = .004, d = 0.55) and Extraversion (p = .04, d = 0.38) predicted STR (n = 114). Although not significant the effect size for Conscientiousness was above the cut-off for a practical significant effect (d = 0.31). No traits predicted LTR category. Still, the effect sizes for LTR regarding Neuroticism (d = 0.36), Extraversion (d = 0.21) and Conscientiousness (d = 0.27) indicated that these traits have relevance for LTR. The latent growth curve model indicated that these traits predicted the short-term use of drugs and long-term use of alcohol in this cohort dominated by patients suffering from severe poly-SUD.

CONCLUSION

Personality traits predict recovery. The effect sizes indicate that more studies with larger samples on personality traits and LTR are required to understand their possible influences on the recovery process.

The HINT1 Gene rs2526303 Polymorphism and Its Association with Personality Traits in Cigarette Smokers

The development of a substance use disorder (SUD) is a multifaceted process influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Recent research has suggested the potential involvement of the HINT1 gene in various aspects of plasticity, mood regulation, anxiety-like behaviour, and stress-coping mechanisms. Moreover, personality traits are also recognised to be instrumental in developing substance dependency. Given these considerations, our study investigated the associations among cigarette smoking, personality traits, and the rs2526303 polymorphism. Additionally, we investigated the interactions between personality traits and rs2526303 in the HINT1 gene. The study group comprised 531 volunteers: 375 cigarette users (mean age = 29.42 ± 10.72; F = 49%, M = 51%) and 156 never-smokers (mean age = 26.93 ± 10.09; F = 79%, M = 21%). Genotyping was conducted using the real-time PCR method, and the NEO Five-Factor Personality Inventory and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were administered. There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of rs2526303 genotypes and alleles in the cigarette user group compared to the control group. Compared to the control group, the cigarette users obtained higher scores in the assessment of the NEO-FFI Extraversion scale and lower results for the NEO-FFI Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness scales. Additionally, there was a statistically significant effect of rs2526303 genotype interaction and cigarette-using status on the conscientiousness scale. These outcomes collectively suggest a notable association between cigarette smoking and specific dimensions of personality, particularly highlighting differences in extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Furthermore, the detected interaction effect involving rs2526303 concerning conscientiousness signifies a complex interplay between genetic factors and smoking behaviour.

Association of the rs3864283 Polymorphism Located in the HINT1 Gene with Cigarette Use and Personality Traits

Nicotine is the major reinforcing component of tobacco and it is believed that the pharmacological effects of nicotine motivate the initiation and maintenance of a smoking habit. HINT1 appears to play a role in the modulation of the effects of drug abuse. Hence, the aim of this study was the analysis of the association between the rs3864283 polymorphism of the HINT1 gene and cigarette use; the analysis of personality traits assessed by the means of the NEO-FFI Inventory; the analysis of anxiety measured by the STAI questionnaire; and the analysis of the interactions between the rs3864283 and both personality traits and anxiety. The study group consisted of 522 volunteers. Of these, 371 were cigarette users and 151 were never-smokers. The genomic DNA was isolated from venous blood using standard procedures. The results of both inventories, i.e., NEO-FFI and STAI., were reported as the sten scores. Genotyping was conducted with the real-time PCR method. Statistically significant differences were found in the frequency of rs3864283 genotypes and alleles in the tested sample of Cigarette Users when compared to the control group. The Cigarette Users compared to the control group obtained higher scores in the assessment of NEO-FFI extraversion scale, and significantly lower results were obtained for the NEO-FFI openness scale, the agreeableness scale, and the conscientiousness scale. There was a statistically significant effect of rs3864283 genotype interaction and Cigarette Use or not using (control group) on the extraversion scale. There was also a statistically significant effect of Cigarette Users or the control group on the extraversion scale score. The results obtained in the presented study indicated a significant association between the HINT1 rs3864283 variant and smoking status. Moreover, this is the first study incorporating genetic association of above-mentioned polymorphic site with interaction analysis of personality traits and anxiety. Overall, the results of this study suggest that HINT1 is an important genetic component associated with nicotine usage mechanisms.

Psychosocial Factors Affecting Drug Relapse among Youth in Punjab, Pakistan

The present study was intended to examine the effect of psychosocial factors on the stigma of mental illness among people addicted to drugs who have relapsed in Punjab, Pakistan. A sample composed of 116 people addicted to drugs and who have relapsed was collected through the purposive sampling technique. Certain self-report measures were used to assess the pertinent study variables. The results elucidated that self-efficacy, social support, and conscientiousness were found to be negative predictors and neuroticism a positive predictor of stigma. The results also confirmed social support as being a significant moderator in the relationship between self-efficacy and stigma, and self-efficacy as being a significant moderator in the relationship between social support and stigma. It was safe to conclude that psychosocial factors such as self-efficacy, social support, personality traits and stigma have a significant role in causing addiction relapse. The conclusions made have been discussed thoroughly.

Premorbid Personality Traits as Risk Factors for Behavioral Addictions: A Systematic Review of a Vulnerability Hypothesis

The debate on personality structure and behavioral addictions is an outstanding issue. According to some authors, behavioral addictions could arise from a premorbid personality, while for others, it could result from a pathological use of technological tools. The current study aims to investigate whether, in the latest literature, personality traits have been identified as predictors of behavioral addictions. A literature search was conducted under the PRISMA methodology, considering the most relevant studies of the five-factor model from the past 10 years. Overall, most studies on addiction, personality traits, and personality genetics proved that behavioral addiction may be an epiphenomenon of a pre-existing personality structure, and that it more easily occurs in vulnerable subjects with emotional instability, negative affects, and unsatisfactory relationships with themselves, others, and events. Such neurotic personality structure was common to any addictive behavior, and was the main risk factor for both substance and behavioral addictions. Therefore, in clinical and educational contexts, it becomes crucial to primarily focus on the vulnerability factors, at-risk personality traits, and protective and moderating traits such as extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience; meanwhile, treatment of behavioral addictions is frequently focused on overt pathological behaviors.

Personality and substance use disorder: Characteristics as measured by NEO-personality inventory–revised

The present study investigates the personality characteristics of a cohort of patients with Substance Use Disorders. The included participants (n = 123) were recruited from specialized treatment for addictions in Norway. The personality scores in the current sample were compared to the Norwegian norm sample with t-tests. Age and gender differences in personality scores were assessed by bivariate correlation analyses and t-tests, respectively. The sample had higher scores on Neuroticism and lower scores on Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, Extraversion, and Openness compared to the norm sample (p < 0.01). The effect sizes of the differences between the current sample and the Norwegian norm sample were large for Neuroticism and Conscientiousness. Older participants scored higher on Agreeableness and its facets A1: Trust and A2: Straightforwardness and lower on the facet E5: Excitement-Seeking (p < 0.01). No significant (p < 0.01) gender differences in NEO-PI-R scores were found. In conclusion, the current results support previous findings regarding personality traits associated with SUD. The clinical relevance of the findings is discussed.

Big Five Traits as Predictors of a Healthy Lifestyle during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a Russian Cross-Sectional Study

The healthy lifestyle of people around the world has changed dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. The personality risk factors for these processes from around the world remain understudied. This study aimed to examine the associations of the Big Five traits with a healthy lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a cross-sectional study, data from 1215 Russian university students were analyzed. Participants completed the Big Five Inventory-10 and Short Multidimensional Inventory Lifestyle Evaluation. The results showed that personality traits predicted many dimensions of a healthy lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic. Diet and nutrition were positively predicted by extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness, and it was negatively predicted by neuroticism. Substance abuse was positively predicted by agreeableness and conscientiousness, and it was negatively predicted by extraversion. Physical activity was positively predicted by extraversion and conscientiousness, and it was negatively predicted by neuroticism. Stress management was positively predicted by extraversion and conscientiousness, and it was negatively predicted by neuroticism. Restorative sleep was positively predicted by extraversion and conscientiousness, and it was negatively predicted by neuroticism. Social support for healthy practices was positively predicted by extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Environmental exposures were positively predicted by extraversion, and neuroticism was positively and negatively predicted by conscientiousness. Our findings may be useful for further exploration of personality risk factors for healthy practices in challenging life circumstances.

Common Features in Compulsive Sexual Behavior, Substance Use Disorders, Personality, Temperament, and Attachment-A Narrative Review

Do addictions share common traits of an “addictive personality” or do different addictions have distinct personality profiles? This narrative review examines the differences in the associations between substance use disorder (SUD) and compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD), on the one hand, and personality traits, attachment dispositions, and temperament, on the other hand. We found that both people with a SUD and people with CSBD tended to be more spontaneous, careless, and less reliable, to place self-interest above getting along with others, to show emotional instability and experience negative emotions such as anger, anxiety, and/or depression, to be less able to control their attention and/or behavior, and to be engulfed with a constant sensation of “wanting”. Only people with CSBD, but not SUD, noted concerns with their social ties, fear of losing close others, and/or trusting others around them. Results also suggested that people with a SUD and people with CSBD share high commonalities in personality traits and temperament, yet there are noted differences in their social tendencies, especially with close others. People with CSBD reported more concerns with possible relationship losses compared to people with SUD issues, who may be more worried about losing their source of escapism.

DRD4 Exon 3 Gene Polymorphisms in Patients Diagnosed with Polysubstance Use Disorder and Co-Occurrence of a Depressive Episode

Background: There has been a noticeable and systematic growth of the use of psychoactive substances over the past few decades. Dual diagnosis is a clinical term referring to the occurrence of psychoactive substance use disorder comorbid with another psychiatric disorder in the same person. The most common type of dual diagnosis is the co-occurrence of alcohol use disorder and mood disorders in the form of a depressive episode. Co-occurrent substance use disorders are frequently influenced by genetic factors. In selecting our area of research, we focused on dopamine and the DRD4 (Dopamine Receptor D4) gene polymorphism as well as associations with personality features. The aim of the study: The aim of the study was to compare DRD4 exon 3 (DRD4 Ex3) gene polymorphisms in patients diagnosed with polysubstance use disorder and co-occurrence of a depressive episode to DRD4 exon 3 gene polymorphisms in patients diagnosed with polysubstance use disorder and without co-occurrence of a depressive episode and a group of healthy volunteers. The study also aimed at establishing associations between personality features and DRD4 exon 3 gene polymorphisms of male patients diagnosed with polysubstance use disorder with co-occurrence of a depressive episode which may present a specific endophenotype of this group of patients. Methods: The study group comprised 602 male volunteers: patients diagnosed with polysubstance use disorder comorbid with a depressive episode (PUD MDD) (n = 95; mean age = 28.29, standard deviation (SD) = 7.40), patients diagnosed with polysubstance use disorder (PUD) (n = 206; mean age = 28.13, SD = 5.97), and controls (n = 301; mean age = 22.13, SD = 4.57). The patients and control subjects were diagnosed by a psychiatrist using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), the NEO Five-Factor Personality Inventory (NEO-FFI), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaires. An analysis of the DRD4 exon 3 polymorphism was performed. Results: The patients diagnosed with PUD MDD compared to the control group of healthy volunteers showed significantly higher scores on both the STAI status and features scale and the NEO-FFI Neuroticism and Openness Scale, as well as lower scores on the Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness NEO-FFI scales. In the DRD4 exon 3 gene polymorphism, the s allele was more frequent in the PUD MDD compared to the l allele, which was less frequent. The results of the 2 × 3 factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) in patients and controls and the variant DRD4 exon 3 interaction were found on the Extraversion Scale and the Conscientiousness Scale of the NEO-FFI. Conclusions: The associations show that psychological factors combined with genetic data create a new area of research on addiction, including the problem of dual diagnosis. However, we want to be careful and draw no definite conclusions at this stage of our research.

Life satisfaction among individuals with opioid use disorder receiving extended-release naltrexone: A 12-week randomized controlled trial and a 36-week follow-up

INTRODUCTION

Life satisfaction (LS) in opioid-dependent individuals is lower than in the general population. This study aimed to explore changes in LS during short- and long-term treatment with extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX).

METHODS

This open-label 12-week clinical trial randomized 159 participants to either monthly XR-NTX or daily buprenorphine-naloxone (BP-NLX). In a subsequent 36-week follow-up study on XR-NTX, participants either continued or switched to XR-NTX. The study collected data on the Temporary Satisfaction with Life (TSWL) and illicit opioid use every fourth week. The research team assessed changes in TSWL by a linear mixed model and growth mixture model. The study assessed relationship between opioid use and TSWL by a linear mixed model.

RESULTS

Change in LS differed significantly between the groups in both study periods. TSWL scores were significantly higher in the XR-NTX group at week 4 (p = 0.013) and week 8 (p = 0.002). In the follow-up period, the groups were significantly different only at week 16 (p = 0.031) and week 48 (p = 0.025), with the higher TSWL scores in the XR-NTX continued group. Increase in opioid use by one day was associated with a 0.12 point lower mean TSWL score. Both study periods identified groups with low and high LS levels. In the trial period, the TSWL scores exhibited a significant increase from baseline to week 12 in both groups, p < 0.001 and p = 0.011 in the low and high LS group, respectively. In the follow-up period, the TSWL scores exhibited a significant increase from week 16 to week 48 (p = 0.003) in the high LS group, while the low LS group showed persistently lower values throughout that period.

CONCLUSIONS

XR-NTX treatment given once monthly is associated with higher LS, as measured by TSWL, compared to daily use of BP-NLX. The majority of the participants had relatively low TSWL scores and did not report any change in TSWL during longer-term treatment. The study found a significant association between more frequent illicit opioid use and a low or decreased LS during follow-up.

Pre-deployment personality traits predict prescription opioid receipt over 2-year post-deployment period in a longitudinal cohort of deployed National Guard soldiers

BACKGROUND

While military service members are at risk forpain conditions, receipt of prescribed opioids is associated with a range of serious adverse outcomes. The goal of this study is to examine the association between pre-deployment personality traits and receipt of prescription opioids after return from deployment.

METHOD

Data were drawn from the Readiness and Resilience in National Guard Soldiers (RINGS) cohort study, an ongoing study of post-deployment health. Participants (N = 522) completed baseline assessments one month prior to deploying to Iraq (2006-2007). At baseline, we assessed personality traits using abbreviated versions of the Personality Psychopathology Five scales from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2. Follow-up assessments were conducted three months, one year, and two years post-deployment. The primary outcome was total amount of prescribed opioids dispensed from Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient pharmacies in the two-year period following soldiers' return from deployment. Unadjusted and adjusted negative binomial regression models examined the relationships of pre-deployment personality traits, demographics (age, gender, and rank), baseline trauma symptoms, deployment related risk factors (difficult living/working environment, deployment injury, combat exposure), and post-deployment trauma symptoms with post-deployment opioid prescribing.

RESULTS

Disconstraint, negative emotionality, and introversion/low positive emotionality were associated with receipt of more prescribed opioids over the two years after return from deployment. Personality traits measured at baseline remained statistically significantly after adjusting for all eight baseline and deployment risk factors of interest.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding how pre-deployment personality traits contribute to post-deployment prescription opioid use could inform efforts to improve veterans' health.

Mini-review: A possible role for galanin in post-traumatic stress disorder

Several neuroendocrine systems have been implicated in post-traumatic stress disorder, including the mesocortical and mesolimbic dopamine, the norepinephrine, the β-endorphin, the serotonin, and the oxytocin systems. The interaction between these different systems remains, however, largely unknown and a generally accepted unifying theory is thus far lacking. In this review, we suggest that galanergic suppression of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental may constitute the missing link in a post-traumatic feedback loop. In addition, we address the literature on the negative cross-antagonism in this brain region between the galanin 1 and μ-opioid receptors, which suggests that behavioural patterns which stimulate β-endorphin, a natural μ-opioid receptors ligand, secretion may provide novel avenues for the treatment and prevention of PTSD, as well as for recruitment, training, and leadership processes in high-stress/high-risk professions such as the military, first responders and the police.

The phenomics and genetics of addictive and affective comorbidity in opioid use disorder

Opioid use disorder (OUD) creates significant public health and economic burdens worldwide. Therefore, understanding the risk factors that lead to the development of OUD is fundamental to reducing both its prevalence and its impact. Significant sources of OUD risk include co-occurring lifetime and current diagnoses of both psychiatric disorders, primarily mood disorders, and other substance use disorders, and unique and shared genetic factors. Although there appears to be pleiotropy between OUD and both mood and substance use disorders, this aspect of OUD risk is poorly understood. In this review, we describe the prevalence and clinical significance of addictive and affective comorbidities as risk factors for OUD development as a basis for rational opioid prescribing and OUD treatment and to improve efforts to prevent the disorder. We also review the genetic variants that have been associated with OUD and other addictive and affective disorders to highlight targets for future study and risk assessment protocols.

Exploring the Association Between the "Big Five" Personality Traits and Fatal Opioid Overdose: County-Level Empirical Analysis

BACKGROUND

Opioid-related deaths constitute a problem of pandemic proportions in the United States, with no clear solution in sight. Although addressing addiction-the heart of this problem-ought to remain a priority for health practitioners, examining the community-level psychological factors with a known impact on health behaviors may provide valuable insights for attenuating this health crisis by curbing risky behaviors before they evolve into addiction.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study is twofold: to demonstrate the relationship between community-level psychological traits and fatal opioid overdose both theoretically and empirically, and to provide a blueprint for using social media data to glean these psychological factors in a real-time, reliable, and scalable manner.

METHODS

We collected annual panel data from Twitter for 2891 counties in the United States between 2014-2016 and used a novel data mining technique to obtain average county-level "Big Five" psychological trait scores. We then performed interval regression, using a control function to alleviate omitted variable bias, to empirically test the relationship between county-level psychological traits and the prevalence of fatal opioid overdoses in each county.

RESULTS

After controlling for a wide range of community-level biopsychosocial factors related to health outcomes, we found that three of the operationalizations of the five psychological traits examined at the community level in the study were significantly associated with fatal opioid overdoses: extraversion (β=.308, P<.001), neuroticism (β=.248, P<.001), and conscientiousness (β=.229, P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Analyzing the psychological characteristics of a community can be a valuable tool in the local, state, and national fight against the opioid pandemic. Health providers and community health organizations can benefit from this research by evaluating the psychological profile of the communities they serve and assessing the projected risk of fatal opioid overdose based on the relationships our study predict when making decisions for the allocation of overdose-reversal medication and other vital resources.

Substance Use Disorder Status Moderates the Association between Personality Traits and Problematic Mobile Phone/Internet Use

BACKGROUND

Associations between personality traits and problematic smartphone use (PSU) among individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) have not been widely investigated. The current study aims to assess whether SUD status moderates the association between personality traits and PSU.

METHODS

The study group included 151 individuals with SUD and a normative sample (NS) comprised of 554 non-SUD students. The following self-report questionnaires were used: the Mobile Phone Problem Use Scale (MPPUS-10) to assess problematic smartphone use (PSU), the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) to assess intensity of internet use, and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) to assess Personality traits.

RESULTS

SUD status moderated the association between neuroticism and openness to new experiences on PSU. That is, greater neuroticism and openness were significantly associated with more excessive PSU among the NS. In the SUD group, greater openness was a significant protective factor against PSU. Moderation results were similar when using the IAT (which was significantly correlated with MPPUS) as an outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of SUD may influence how personality traits are associated with problematic mobile phone/internet use. Given that this is among one of the first studies examining this topic, findings should be replicated with additional studies.

Clinical symptoms and personality traits predict subpopulations of treatment-seeking substance users

BACKGROUND

The heterogeneity of treatment-seeking substance users represents a challenge, as most studies include participants having problems with specific substances or merge polysubstance users into the same category without considering differences between profiles. Considering the inconsistent literature on predictors of treatment outcomes, this study aimed to identify subpopulations of individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) and analyze the association among class membership, previous relapses, and treatment retention.

METHODS

The study recruited a total of 159 participants (mean age = 40.60, SD = 8.70; 85.5% males) from two treatment facilities (outpatient daycare and inpatient residential centers). The baseline assessment gathered lifetime and current substance use, and personality and psychopathology measures. The study performed a latent class analysis to identify subpopulations of substance users and explored predictors of class membership using a multinomial regression analysis.

RESULTS

The study found six different classes of substance users based on their diagnosis and pattern of substance use: class 1 (6.92% of participants): individuals with cannabis as primary substance, alcohol/cocaine as secondary substance and additional use of stimulants or other drugs; class 2 (30.82%): cocaine as primary substance, alcohol as secondary and additional cannabis use; class 3 (20.13%): alcohol as primary substance, cocaine as secondary and additional cannabis use; class 4 (17.61%): cocaine as primary substance, cannabis as secondary and additional alcohol/other drugs use; class 5 (16.35%): alcohol as primary and cannabis as secondary substance; class 6 (8.18%): heroin as primary substance, cocaine as secondary and additional alcohol use. Several traits and clinical symptoms predicted distinct class memberships. Participants pertaining to class 6 presented the highest number of relapses (M = 2.54, SD = 1.56).

CONCLUSIONS

These results have several clinical implications. Belonging to class 6 was associated with a greater number of previous relapses. Also, specific psychopathological symptoms and personality traits may impact SUD treatment response, which may help clinicians to guide initial assessment and treatment allocation.

The Role of Personality Functioning on Early Drop out in Outpatient Substance Misuse Treatment

Treatment initiation is a major factor contributing to positive outcomes, but the supporting literature remains limited. It is difficult to draw conclusions regarding predictors of dropout, and there is a need to target clients' major early attrition vulnerabilities. Despite empirically validated models for assessing personality, little is known about its role in the treatment process. Studies that have been conducted in this area have focused mainly on stable personality traits and provide conflicting evidence. Aims: The aim of this study is to examine to what extent service users' personality functioning are potential determinants of early drop out. Methodology: A cross-sectional multi-site design examined the therapy process in a naturalistic setting in 5 outpatient preparation treatment centers with 210 service users. The current study adopts a contemporary dimensional-based framework, similar to the Alternative Model of Personality Disorder of the DSM-V and examines the role of characteristic adaptations (SIPP-118) on early drop out (CEST-Intake). Findings: From the broad spectrum of personality traits, only Depression remained significant predictor of drop out. Higher dysfunctional levels in Social Concordance [OR] = 1.85, Wald =19.87, p =.002, 95% CI [1.1, 1.9] as well as the facets Aggression Regulation, Respect and Purposefulness were also predictors of early drop out, while Treatment Readiness and Desire for Help accounted for a significant amount of variance. Conclusions: These findings extend our knowledge of the predictive role of characteristic adaptations in treatment and suggest it may be important to assess these individual differences early on and to design personalized-informed interventions.

Personality Traits and Psychotic Proneness Among Chronic Synthetic Cannabinoid Users

OBJECTIVE

Chronic use of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) has been associated with a wide range of negative consequences for health including psychotic and affective disturbances. Accumulating evidence indicates that cannabinoids use may be a risk factor for schizophrenia, and chronic natural cannabis users score higher than non-users on measures of schizotypal personality traits. However, little is known regarding the personality characteristics of SC users, especially in comparison with recreational cannabis users and healthy individuals. This study aimed to examine the differences in personality characteristics and schizotypy between SC users, regular cannabis users, and non-users and to compare these measures between groups.

METHODS

Forty-two chronic SC users, 39 natural cannabis users, and 47 non-using control participants, without history of mental disorder, or current substance use diagnosis (mean age 26± 4.47 years; 23 females, 105 males), completed the Big-Five Factor Inventory (BFI), the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Brief (SPQ-B), substance use history, rating scales of depression and anxiety, and a demographic questionnaire.

RESULTS

On the BFI, SC users scored higher than natural cannabis users and non-users on neuroticism, but lower on agreeableness and extraversion, and endorsed greater schizotypal symptoms on the SPQ-B. In addition, SC users had lower scores on conscientiousness than non-users, and natural cannabis users were more extroverted than non-users. Higher openness and lower conscientiousness predicted schizotypy for both SC and natural cannabis users. Finally, greater neuroticism predicted schizotypy for natural cannabis users, and introversion predicted schizotypy for non-users.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that chronic SC users differ from natural cannabis users and non-users on dimensions of specific personality traits and schizotypy that may indicate psychotic proneness.

The Roles of Emotion Regulation Difficulties and Impulsivity in the Associations between Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms and Frequency of Nonprescription Sedative Use and Prescription Sedative/Opioid Misuse

Despite evidence of a strong relationship between BPD and substance use problems in general, little research has examined the associations of BPD symptoms with the misuse of sedatives or opioids, and no studies have explored possible factors that may underlie these associations. Thus, this study examined the relationships of BPD symptoms (i.e., the number of BPD criteria with threshold ratings on a diagnostic interview) to nonprescription sedative use, nonprescription opioid use, and prescription sedative/opioid misuse among 194 patients with alcohol and/or cocaine dependence in a residential substance use disorder treatment facility, as well as the roles of two theoretically-relevant factors in these relationships: emotion regulation (ER) difficulties and impulsivity facets. We found significant positive associations between BPD symptoms and nonprescription sedative use, nonprescription opioid use, and prescription sedative/opioid misuse. We also found significant positive indirect relationships of BPD symptoms to nonprescription sedative use through ER difficulties, ab = .04, 95% CI [.003, .09], and to prescription sedative/opioid misuse through two facets of impulsivity: lack of perseverance, ab = .05, 95% CI [.01, .11], and negative urgency, ab = .03, 95% CI [.002, .07]. Findings highlight the differential relevance of ER difficulties and impulsivity dimensions to the relationships of BPD symptoms to nonprescription sedative use and prescription sedative/opioid misuse, respectively, among patients with alcohol and/or cocaine dependence.

Behavioral preference for viewing drug v. pleasant images predicts current and future opioid misuse among chronic pain patients

BACKGROUND

The USA is currently enduring an opioid crisis. Identifying cost-effective, easy-to-implement behavioral measures that predict treatment outcomes in opioid misusers is a crucial scientific, therapeutic, and epidemiological goal.

METHODS

The current study used a mixed cross-sectional and longitudinal design to test whether a behavioral choice task, previously validated in stimulant users, was associated with increased opioid misuse severity at baseline, and whether it predicted change in opioid misuse severity at follow-up. At baseline, data from 100 prescription opioid-treated chronic pain patients were analyzed; at follow-up, data were analyzed in 34 of these participants who were non-misusers at baseline. During the choice task, participants chose under probabilistic contingencies whether to view opioid-related images in comparison with affectively pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral images. Following previous procedures, we also assessed insight into choice behavior, operationalized as whether (yes/no) participants correctly self-reported the image category they chose most often.

RESULTS

At baseline, the higher choice for viewing opioid images in direct comparison with pleasant images was associated with opioid misuse and impaired insight into choice behavior; the combination of these produced especially elevated opioid-related choice behavior. In longitudinal analyses of individuals who were initially non-misusers, higher baseline opioid v. pleasant choice behavior predicted more opioid misuse behaviors at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that greater relative allocation of behavior toward opioid stimuli and away from stimuli depicting natural reinforcement is associated with concurrent opioid misuse and portends vulnerability toward future misuse. The choice task may provide important medical information to guide opioid-prescribing practices.

The prospective association between personality traits and persistent pain and opioid medication use

OBJECTIVE

Pain and prescription opioid medication use are prevalent and a major source of psychological and physical health burden. This research examines whether Five Factor Model personality traits prospectively predict who will experience persistent pain and use prescription opioid medication over a 10-year follow-up.

METHODS

Participants (N = 8491) were drawn from the Health and Retirement Study. At baseline, participants reported on their personality and whether they were in pain. Every two years, participants reported on their pain and, at the most recent assessment, their current use of prescription opioid medication. Logistic regression was used to test whether personality was associated with persistent pain over the up to 10-year follow-up and whether it predicted who would be taking prescription opioid medication.

RESULTS

Neuroticism was associated with higher risk of persistent pain (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.38-1.51) and opioid medication use (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.14-1.29) over the follow-up. Extraversion was associated with lower risk of persistent pain (OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.80-0.87) and opioid medication use (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.86-0.97). Similarly, Conscientiousness was associated with lower risk of persistent pain (OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.79-0.87) and opioid medication use (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.86-0.97).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that personality traits are one psychological characteristic that modulates the likelihood of persistent pain and opioid medication use.

Examining the relation of personality factors to substance use disorder by explanatory item response modeling of DSM-5 symptoms

This paper explores how personality factors affect substance use disorders (SUDs) using explanatory item response modeling (EIRM). A total of 606 Chinese illicit drug users participated in our study. After removing the cases with missing values on the covariate measures, a final sample of 573 participants was used for data analysis. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) was used to measure the illicit drug users’ SUD level. Four personality factors–anxiety sensitivity, impulsivity, sensation seeking and hopelessness–along with gender and alcohol use were included in EIRM as person covariates. The results indicated that gender, alcohol use, and their interaction significantly predicted the SUD level. The only personality factor that strongly predicted the SUD level was sensation seeking. In addition, the interaction between gender and hopelessness was also found to be a significant predictor of the SUD level, indicating that the negative effect of hopelessness on SUD is stronger for women than for men. The findings suggest that sensation seeking plays an important role in influencing SUDs, and thus, it should be considered when designing intervention or screening procedures for potential illicit drug users. In addition, several DSM-5 SUD symptoms were found to exhibit differential effects by gender, alcohol use, and personality factors. The possible explanations were discussed.

Molecular Imaging of Opioid and Dopamine Systems: Insights Into the Pharmacogenetics of Opioid Use Disorders

Opioid use in the United States has steadily risen since the 1990s, along with staggering increases in addiction and overdose fatalities. With this surge in prescription and illicit opioid abuse, it is paramount to understand the genetic risk factors and neuropsychological effects of opioid use disorder (OUD). Polymorphisms disrupting the opioid and dopamine systems have been associated with increased risk for developing substance use disorders. Molecular imaging studies have revealed how these polymorphisms impact the brain and contribute to cognitive and behavioral differences across individuals. Here, we review the current molecular imaging literature to assess how genetic variations in the opioid and dopamine systems affect function in the brain's reward, cognition, and stress pathways, potentially resulting in vulnerabilities to OUD. Continued research of the functional consequences of genetic variants and corresponding alterations in neural mechanisms will inform prevention and treatment of OUD.

Trait Emotional Intelligence Profiles of Parents With Drug Addiction and of Their Offspring

This study examines the relationship between trait emotional intelligence (trait EI) and general health (General Health; GHQ-28) in two samples of Greek parents with (n = 52; Mage = 39.78; SDage = 6.68; 41 men and 11 women) and without (n = 51; Mage = 43.53; SDage = 4.61; 40 men and 11 women) addiction problems. In addition, it compares the trait EI scores of their offspring (N = 81; Mage = 11.71; SDage = 2.15; 51 boys and 30 girls). Results showed that parents with drug addiction exhibited lower levels of trait EI and poorer general health than peers. In addition, global trait EI and two of its subscales, Well-being and Emotionality, had stronger correlations with depression in the addiction than in the comparison group. Well-being was a significant predictor of general health and its subscales (Somatic symptoms, Anxiety/insomnia, Social dysfunction, and severe depression) in both groups. No differences were found between the offspring of the two groups.

The role of individual and personality factors in controlling risky behaviours related to AIDS: Proposing a causal model

BACKGROUND

Investigating previous studies show that personality traits have an important role in controlling risky behaviours related to AIDS; therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between AIDS health literacy, personality traits and mental health and controlling risky behaviours related to AIDS through self-efficacy.

METHODS

The statistical population includes all the young people in western provinces of Iran, 2015. Data analysis was carried out for a sample of 756 participants (59% female).

RESULTS

The results show that except for the socializing trait, all the other variables are related to controlling risky behaviours. In addition, variables of health literacy related to AIDS, mental health, activity, impulsive sensation seeking and hostility have a direct relation to controlling risky behaviours. Also, the predicting behaviours can predict 62% of the variance in controlling risky behaviours related to AIDS. The analysis results show that health literacy has an indirect impact on controlling risky behaviours through self-efficacy. In other words, health literacy related to AIDS leads to controlling risky behaviours when self-efficacy is high for controlling risky behaviours.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results, it is recommended that the role of self-efficacy in controlling risky behaviours be considered as a strategy for preventing AIDS. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Neuroticism and Individual Differences in Neural Function in Unmedicated Major Depression: Findings from the EMBARC Study

BACKGROUND

Personality dysfunction represents one of the only predictors of differential response between active treatments for depression to have replicated. In this study, we examine whether depressed patients with higher neuroticism scores, a marker of personality dysfunction, show differences versus depressed patients with lower scores in the functioning of two brain regions associated with treatment response, the anterior cingulate and anterior insula cortices.

METHODS

Functional magnetic resonance imaging data during an emotional Stroop task were collected from 135 adults diagnosed with major depressive disorder at four academic medical centers participating in the Establishing Moderators and Biosignatures of Antidepressant Response for Clinical Care (EMBARC) study. Secondary analyses were conducted including a sample of 28 healthy individuals.

RESULTS

In whole-brain analyses, higher neuroticism among depressed adults was associated with increased activity in and connectivity with the right anterior insula cortex to incongruent compared to congruent emotional stimuli (ks>281, ps<0.05 FWE corrected), covarying for concurrent psychiatric distress. We also observed an unanticipated relationship between neuroticism and reduced activity in the precuneus (k=269, p<0.05 FWE corrected). Exploratory analyses including healthy individuals suggested that associations between neuroticism and brain function may be nonlinear over the full range of neuroticism scores.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides convergent evidence for the importance of the right anterior insula cortex as a brain-based marker of clinically meaningful individual differences in neuroticism among adults with depression. This is a critical next step in linking personality dysfunction, a replicated clinical predictor of differential antidepressant treatment response, with differences in underlying brain function.

Risk of Pain Medication Misuse After Spinal Cord Injury: The Role of Substance Use, Personality, and Depression

Our purpose was to identify risk of pain medication misuse (PMM) among participants with spinal cord injury (SCI) by examining associations with multiple sets of risk factors including demographic and injury characteristics, pain experiences, frequency of pain medication use, substance use, personality, and depressive symptoms. Risk of PMM was defined by a cutoff score ≥30 measured using the Pain Medication Questionnaire (PMQ) and examined in 1,619 adults with traumatic SCI of at least 1 year duration who reported at least 1 painful condition and use of prescription pain medication using a cross-sectional design. Results indicated 17.6% of participants had scores of ≥30 on the PMQ. After controlling for demographic, injury, and pain characteristics, logistic regression analysis showed that being a current smoker, recently using cannabis (behavioral factors), and multiple psychological factors were associated with risk of PMM, as indicated by scores on the PMQ. These included elevated depressive symptomatology and exhibiting impulsive or anxious personality traits. Because risk of PMM is indicated in individuals with SCI, prescribers should assess and monitor multiple risk factors for PMM including substance use behaviors and psychological indicators.

PERSPECTIVE

This article identifies behavioral substance use and psychological factors associated with risk of PMM, measured using the PMQ, among those with SCI. Identification of these related variables will help health care professionals better prescribe and monitor pain medication use and/or misuse among individuals with SCI.

A personality trait contributes to the occurrence of postoperative delirium: a prospective study

BACKGROUND

Although various physical risk factors for delirium have been identified, the effect of psychological aspects is currently unknown. This study aimed to examine psychological risk factors for postoperative delirium and to identify hidden subgroups of delirium in clinical and psychological feature space.

METHODS

Among 200 patients with hip fracture, 78 elderly patients were prospectively evaluated for clinical and psychological assessments before surgery. As delirium was assessed from the next day to the 7th day after surgery, postoperative delirium was found in 40 patients, but not in 38 patients. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to explore risk factors for postoperative delirium. Phenotypic subgroups of delirium were assessed using Topological Data Analysis, in which the significant risk factors were used for evaluating filter and distance metrics.

RESULTS

Mini-Mental State Examination, neuroticism, conscientiousness, and regional anesthesia were identified as a predictive risk factor for postoperative delirium. The filter metric showed significant negative correlations with nutrition-related factors such as total protein and albumin. When filter metric and Euclidean distances were entered, delirious patients were bifurcated as a function of personality traits and anesthesia method in the patient-patient network.

CONCLUSIONS

A personality trait of neuroticism and conscientiousness may predispose elderly patients to postoperative delirium and this influence may be amplified by regional anesthesia. This study verifies the contribution of psychological risk factors to delirium and provides new insight for complex etiologies of delirium by mapping various clinical variables in the topological space.

Associations Between the Big Five Personality Traits and the Non-Medical Use of Prescription Drugs for Cognitive Enhancement

While the number of studies of the non-medical use of prescription drugs to augment cognitive functions is growing steadily, psychological factors that can potentially help explain variance in such pharmaceutical cognitive enhancement (CE) behavior are often neglected in research. This study investigates the association between the Big Five personality traits and a retrospective (prior CE-drug use) as well as a prospective (willingness to use CE drugs) measure of taking prescription drugs with the purpose of augmenting one's cognitive functions (e.g., concentration, memory, or vigilance) without medical necessity. We use data from a large representative survey of German employees (N = 6454, response rate = 29.8%). The Five Factor Model (FFM) of Personality was measured with a short version of the Big Five Personality Traits Inventory (BFI-S), which includes: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Together with this, demographic variables such as gender, age, education, and income were used as potential confounders in multiple logistic regression models. Our results show a 2.96% lifetime prevalence of CE-drug use and a 10.45% willingness to (re)use such drugs in the future. We found that less conscientious and more neurotic respondents have a higher probability of prior CE-drug use and a greater willingness to use CE drugs in the future. No significant effects were found for openness, extraversion, or agreeableness. Prior CE-drug use was strongly associated with a greater willingness to take such drugs in the future. This study shows that specific personality traits are not only associated with prior enhancement behavior, but also affect the willingness to (re)use such drugs. It helps increase understanding of the risk factors of CE-drug use, which is a health-related behavior that can entail severe side-effects for consumers. The knowledge gathered can thus help improve interventions aimed at minimizing health problems.

Personality Traits and Identity Styles in Methamphetamine-Dependent Women: A Comparative Study

Background:

Studies over the past two decades have shown that various personality traits of substance-dependent men measure differently than compared to normal individuals. However fewer studies have addressed the role of identity as an influential factor in the onset and continuation of drug dependency.

Methods:

The objective of this study was to compare the Big Five personality factors and identity styles in methamphetamine dependent women and non-user group. Forty eight methamphetamine dependent women under treatment in Welfare Organization’s residential centers filled out the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) and the Berzonsky’s Identity Style Inventory. They were compared with 48 non-dependent women who were matched in terms of age, education, marital status, and occupation. Data was analyzed with t student test. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS V.16 software. Differences were considered significant at P<0.05.

Results:

Results found that methamphetamine dependent woman had significantly higher levels of neuroticism and lower levels of conscientiousness, agreeableness and openness to experience compared to normative sample of female respondents. In addition, mean scores of diffuse/avoidant identity style in methamphetamine user women was significantly higher than non-user group. This is while non-user women had a significantly higher mean in normative identity style.

Conclusion:

Identity styles along with personality traits can be a key role in drug use in women in this study. Therefore, enhancing understanding about the role of identity can be helpful in treatment programs especially in harm reduction approaches.

Neuroticism and impulsivity: their hierarchical organization in the personality characterization of drug-dependent patients from a decision tree learning perspective

OBJECTIVE

Neuroticism and impulsivity are the personality variables most consistently associated with drug-dependent patients. To date, no data mining procedures have been applied to explore the differential role of personality variables in this population.

METHODS

The personality profile of 336 drug-dependent patients was compared with that of a sample of community participants in the context of a decision tree learning approach using the Alternative Five Factor Model. The resulting discriminant model was cross-validated.

RESULTS

Neuroticism and impulsivity were the most relevant variables in the resulting model, but their association appeared to be hierarchically organized. In the personality characterization of these patients, neuroticism became the main discriminant dimension, whereas impulsivity played a differential role, explained by means of an interaction effect. Decision tree learning models appear to be a heuristic theoretical and empirical approximation to the study of relevant variables, such as personality traits, in drug-dependency research.

Patterns and associates of cognitive function, psychosocial wellbeing and health in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936

BACKGROUND

Cognitive function, psychosocial wellbeing and health are important domains of function. Consistencies and inconsistencies in patterns of wellbeing across these domains may be informative about wellbeing in old age and the ways it is manifested amongst individuals. In this study we investigated whether there were groups of individuals with different profiles of scores across these domains. We also aimed to identify characteristics of any evident groups by comparing them on variables that were not used in identifying the groups.

METHODS

The sample was the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936, which included 1091 participants born in 1936. They are a community-dwelling, narrow-age-range sample of 70-year-olds. Most had taken part in the Scottish Mental Survey 1947 at an average age of 11, making available a measure of childhood intelligence. We used latent class analysis (LCA) to explore possible profiles using 9 variables indicating cognitive functioning, psychosocial wellbeing and health status. Demographic, personality, and lifestyle variables - none of which were used in the LCA - were used to characterize the resulting profile groups.

RESULTS

We accepted a 3-group solution, which we labeled High Wellbeing (65.3%), Low Cognition (20.3%), and Low Bio-Psychosocial (14.5%). Notably, the High Wellbeing group had significantly higher childhood IQ, lower Neuroticism scores, and a lower percentage of current smokers than the other 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

The majority of individuals were functioning generally well; however, there was evidence of the presence of groups with different profiles, which may be explained in part in terms of cognitive ability differences. Results suggested that higher life-long intelligence, personality traits associated with less mental distress, and basic health practices such as avoiding smoking are important associates of wellbeing in old age.

Impact of maternal negative affectivity on light alcohol use and binge drinking during pregnancy

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether maternal negative affectivity, a tendency to frequent negative emotions and views, is associated with light alcohol use and binge drinking during pregnancy.

DESIGN

Cohort.

SETTING

Norway 1999-2008.

POPULATION

The study includes complete information on 66 111 pregnant women and their partners.

METHODS

We used data from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort study (MoBa) representing 39% of the pregnant population.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Light alcohol use (0.5-2 units one to four times per month) and binge drinking (an intake of 5 alcohol units or more) measured with the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C).

RESULTS

For each unit increase in maternal negative affectivity the odds for light alcohol use increased with 27% in the first trimester [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19-1.36], and 28% in the second trimester (95% CI 1.18-1.39). With respect to binge drinking, each unit increase in maternal negative affectivity was associated with 55% higher odds in the first trimester (95% CI 1.44-1.67), and 114% higher odds in the second trimester (95% CI 1.70-2.69).

CONCLUSIONS

Negative affectivity is associated with both light alcohol use and binge drinking during pregnancy. The mechanisms mediating the relation between negative affectivity and alcohol use in pregnancy should be investigated further.

Personality traits and illicit substances: the moderating role of poverty

BACKGROUND

Illicit substances increase risk of morbidity and mortality and have significant consequences for society. Personality traits are associated with drug use; we test whether these associations vary by socioeconomic status.

METHOD

Participants (N=412) from the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study completed the Revised NEO Personality Inventory and self-reported use of opiates and cocaine. 50% of participants were living below 125% of the federal poverty line. Mean-level personality differences across never, former, and current opiate/cocaine users were compared. Logistic regressions compared never versus current users and interactions between personality traits and poverty status tested whether these associations varied by socioeconomic status.

RESULTS

High Neuroticism and low Agreeableness increased risk of drug use. The association between low Conscientiousness and drug use was moderated by poverty, such that low Conscientiousness was a stronger risk factor for illicit substance use among those with relatively higher SES. For every standard deviation decrease in Conscientiousness, there was a greater than 2-fold increase in risk of illicit substance use (OR=2.15, 95% CI=1.45-3.17). Conscientiousness was unrelated to drug use among participants living below 125% of the federal poverty line.

CONCLUSIONS

Under favorable economic conditions, the tendency to be organized, disciplined, and deliberate is protective against drug use. These tendencies, however, matter less when financial resources are scarce. In contrast, those prone to emotional distress and antagonism are at greater risk for current drug use, regardless of their economic situation.

Public health significance of neuroticism

The personality trait of neuroticism refers to relatively stable tendencies to respond with negative emotions to threat, frustration, or loss. Individuals in the population vary markedly on this trait, ranging from frequent and intense emotional reactions to minor challenges to little emotional reaction even in the face of significant difficulties. Although not widely appreciated, there is growing evidence that neuroticism is a psychological trait of profound public health significance. Neuroticism is a robust correlate and predictor of many different mental and physical disorders, comorbidity among them, and the frequency of mental and general health service use. Indeed, neuroticism apparently is a predictor of the quality and longevity of our lives. Achieving a full understanding of the nature and origins of neuroticism, and the mechanisms through which neuroticism is linked to mental and physical disorders, should be a top priority for research. Knowing why neuroticism predicts such a wide variety of seemingly diverse outcomes should lead to improved understanding of commonalities among those outcomes and improved strategies for preventing them.

Five-Factor Model personality profiles of drug users

BACKGROUND

Personality traits are considered risk factors for drug use, and, in turn, the psychoactive substances impact individuals' traits. Furthermore, there is increasing interest in developing treatment approaches that match an individual's personality profile. To advance our knowledge of the role of individual differences in drug use, the present study compares the personality profile of tobacco, marijuana, cocaine, and heroin users and non-users using the wide spectrum Five-Factor Model (FFM) of personality in a diverse community sample.

METHOD

Participants (N = 1,102; mean age = 57) were part of the Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) program in Baltimore, MD, USA. The sample was drawn from a community with a wide range of socio-economic conditions. Personality traits were assessed with the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R), and psychoactive substance use was assessed with systematic interview.

RESULTS

Compared to never smokers, current cigarette smokers score lower on Conscientiousness and higher on Neuroticism. Similar, but more extreme, is the profile of cocaine/heroin users, which score very high on Neuroticism, especially Vulnerability, and very low on Conscientiousness, particularly Competence, Achievement-Striving, and Deliberation. By contrast, marijuana users score high on Openness to Experience, average on Neuroticism, but low on Agreeableness and Conscientiousness.

CONCLUSION

In addition to confirming high levels of negative affect and impulsive traits, this study highlights the links between drug use and low Conscientiousness. These links provide insight into the etiology of drug use and have implications for public health interventions.