Five-Factor Model personality profiles of drug users

HINT1 Gene Polymorphisms, Smoking Behaviour, and Personality Traits: A Haplotype Case-Control Study

The factors influencing the development and maintenance of nicotine dependence are numerous and complex. Recent studies indicate that smokers exhibit distinct genetic predispositions to nicotine dependence. We aimed to analyse (1) the association between rs2551038 and cigarette smoking, (2) the association of between the rs3864236-rs2526303-rs2551038 haplotype and cigarette smoking, and (3) the personality traits measured by the NEO Five-Factor Inventory in cigarette users and never-smokers. No significant differences were present in the frequency of rs2551038 genotypes and alleles in the studied cigarette users compared to the control group. Cigarette users, compared to the control group, had higher scores on the NEO-FFI Extraversion scale (p = 0.0011), and lower scores were obtained by the cigarette users for the NEO-FFI Openness (p = 0.0060), Agreeability (p ≤ 0.000), and Conscientiousness (p ≤ 0.000) scales. There was a significant positive Pearson's linear correlation between the age and the Fagestrom test (r = 0.346; p < 0.0001) and the NEO-FFI Openness scale (r = 0.180; p < 0.0001) in the group of cigarette users. We observed significant linkage disequilibrium between rs2526303 and rs3864236 (D' = 0.3581; p < 2.2204 × 10-16) and between rs2526303 and rs2551038 (D' = 0.9993; p < 2.2204 × 10-16) in the tested sample. The sex-stratified haplotype analysis revealed that in the group of male never-smokers, the GTC haplotype was significantly more frequent than in the group of cigarette users (38% vs. 22%; p = 0.0039). The presented study reveals significant differences in personality trait scores between cases and controls. Moreover, the sex-stratified analysis showed significant differences in haplotype distribution. These results underscore the interplay between genetic predisposition, sex, and personality in nicotine-using individuals.

Attitudes on Psychedelics in a Sample of Croatian Mental Health Professionals: A Cross-Sectional National Survey Study

For some time now, there has been an increased interest in psychedelics among scientists and mental health experts. Given that experts introduce therapy and advise patients, it is important to know their views. Therefore, the aim of our research was to examine and compare the attitudes of psychiatrists and psychologists toward psychedelics. We were interested in how they are formed and what is the role of personality in that process. We included 218 respondents, of which 92 were psychiatrists and 126 were psychologists. Attitudes toward psychedelics were examined using the Attitudes on Psychedelics Questionnaire. We used the Big Five Inventory to examine personality traits. On the Legal Use of Psychedelics subscale, it was shown that psychiatrists have more negative attitudes toward psychedelics (p = .033). Higher Openness (β = 0.184, p < .001) and lower Conscientiousness (β = -0.144, p = .009) contribute to positive attitudes toward psychedelics, as well as previous lifetime experience with psychedelics (β = 0.411, p < .001) and younger age (β = -0.278, p < .001). In conclusion, we can say that mental health professionals are open but also wary of psychedelics. Openness motivates them to learn. For this reason, additional education could have an impact on the attitudes of psychiatrists and psychologists and prepare them for the practical use of psychedelics.

The role of attachment and personality traits in choosing opiate addiction replacement therapy

Contemporary medical approaches for opioid addiction often include medication-assisted therapy, utilizing methadone and buprenorphine. However, factors influencing patient preferences for starting buprenorphine or methadone therapy are poorly understood. This study aims to explore whether variances in personality traits and attachment styles are related to treatment preferences among individuals undergoing buprenorphine and methadone maintenance therapies. 300 participants completed the Big Five Questionnaire for personality traits and sub-dimensions and the Experiences in Close Relationship Scale for assessing attachment styles. The results indicated that patients with higher levels of Dynamism, Conscientiousness, and Perseverance personality traits were more likely to choose buprenorphine over methadone for achieving and maintaining abstinence. Although attachment styles showed a greater ability to differentiate between groups compared to personality traits, the differences were not significant. However, Conscientiousness stood out for its high discriminant validity, suggesting that scores in this personality dimension could significantly distinguish between groups, with individuals in the buprenorphine group showing higher levels of Conscientiousness compared to the methadone group. The study suggests a partial association between individuals' preference for abstinence therapy and their personality traits. These findings could be considered useful indicators when choosing maintenance therapy to help opiate-addicted patients achieve and maintain abstinence.

The Association Between Personality Traits and Substance Use Among Advanced Level Students in Western Province, Sri Lanka: A Cross-sectional Study

Background

While personality predominantly influences human cognition, emotion, and behavior, there is still an unresolved research gap concerning the association between personality and substance use within the Sri Lankan context.

Methods

This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between personality traits and substance use among advanced-level students aged over 18 in Western province, Sri Lanka, in 2023. Data collection was carried out using self-administered paper-pencil questionnaires. The study variables were measured using the brief version of the Big Five Personality Inventory and the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Questionnaire. Data analysis involved the use of the chi-square test and Spearman correlation.

Findings

Of the 441 enrolled participants, 422 provided correct responses to the questionnaire. Among them, 154 (36.5%) reported substance use. The majority of students initiated substance use at the age of 17. The results reveal a significant association between the openness personality trait and substance use among advanced-level students in Western province. Additionally, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between the extroversion personality trait and amphetamine use among advanced-level students.

Conclusion

The findings highlight a significant association between specific personality traits, particularly openness and extroversion, and substance use among advanced-level students in Western province, Sri Lanka. These results emphasize the significance of considering personality factors in understanding and addressing substance use behaviors among youth populations. Further research and targeted interventions are necessary to delve deeper into these associations and develop effective prevention and intervention strategies.

Impulsivity mediates the association between narcissism and substance-related problems beyond the degree of substance use: a longitudinal observational study

BACKGROUND

Narcissism has been implied as a putative risk factor for substance use disorders (SUDs). However, previous research did not disentangle the degree of substance use from substance-related problems, the symptoms of SUDs. This preregistered study addressed the open question whether grandiose and vulnerable narcissism and their constituent traits convey specific SUD risk, that is, explain substance-related problems beyond the degree of use. Furthermore, we tested whether impulsivity or substance use motives linked to narcissistic self-regulation mediate this association.

METHODS

Narcissism, impulsivity, substance use motives, past-year substance use, and substance-related problems were assessed in 139 (poly-)substance users, 121 of whom completed a one-year follow-up. For significant longitudinal associations between narcissism factors and substance-related problems controlled for the degree of use, we tested impulsivity and substance use motives as mediators.

RESULTS

Grandiose narcissism (r =.24, p =.007) and its constituent factors antagonistic (r =.27, p =.003) and agentic narcissism (r =.18, p =.050), but not vulnerable narcissism, prospectively predicted substance-related problems beyond the degree of substance use. Associations of grandiose narcissism and antagonistic narcissism with substance-related problems were fully mediated by impulsivity, but not substance use motives. Impulsivity explained roughly one third of the association of both grandiose (P̂M = 0.30) and antagonistic narcissism (P̂M = 0.26) with substance-related problems.

DISCUSSION

We demonstrate that grandiose narcissism- particularly antagonistic but also agentic narcissism- is specifically linked to substance-related problems beyond the degree of substance use. The mediating effect of impulsivity but not substance use motives suggests that impulsivity may be a more important mechanism than narcissistic self-regulation in promoting SUD in narcissism. However, future studies may use more targeted measures than substance use motives to further probe the role of self-regulation. Similar result patterns for alcohol compared to all substances together indicate that mechanisms may be alike across substances. In conclusion, narcissistic individuals may not use substances more but have a higher SUD risk, informing prevention and treatment.

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.

The Relationship between the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Gene Polymorphism (Val66Met) and Substance Use Disorder and Relapse

Substance addiction is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by a recurring desire to continue using a substance despite harmful consequences. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a protein that plays a role in the activity-dependent remodeling of neural function in adult nervous systems. This study analyzed the association of the rs6265 polymorphism of the BDNF gene in a group of patients addicted to psychoactive substances who were participating in addiction treatment for the first time, in a group of post-relapse psychoactive substance abusers and in a control group. The study also assessed personality and anxiety in all study groups. Statistically significant differences in the frequency of genotypes and alleles were found between all study groups. Compared to the control, both study groups had statistically significantly higher scores for trait and state anxiety. Addicted patients in both groups also had higher scores on the Neuroticism and Openness scales and lower scores on the Extraversion and Agreeableness scales. The results of this study provide further evidence that personality traits, anxiety and the rs6265 polymorphism of the BDNF gene may be risk factors for susceptibility to addiction to psychoactive substances. In addition, they can be a predictor of addiction relapse, but further extensive studies are required to confirm these findings.

Personality predicting relapse: A facet analysis of the NEO PI-R

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R) domains are associated with substance use disorders (SUD), including potential for relapse. However, individual facets of the NEO PI-R domains have not been rigorously analyzed. This paper assesses NEO PI-R individual facets among participants with SUD and their value in predicting relapse.

METHODS

Between 2015 and 2018, all patients admitted to a single private rehabilitation center (n = 642) were offered participation in this study. Participants who completed NEO PI-R questionnaires at the start of treatment and with known relapse outcomes up to 1-year posttreatment were included (n = 441). Statistical analysis included a series of unadjusted univariate logistic regressions and additional adjusted multivariate regression controlling for employment status in healthcare.

RESULTS

Neuroticism, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness domains had significant impacts on relapse. Three individual facets of Neuroticism were significant predictors of relapse, and seven individual facets within the Conscientiousness and Agreeableness domains were inversely related to relapse. When controlling for employment, Conscientiousness and three of its individual facets (Dutifulness, Competence, and Self-Discipline) continued to be significant in predicting relapse. The individual facets Impulsiveness and Straightforwardness also continued to be significant in predicting relapse.

CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE

Several personality domains and facets were significantly related to relapse, confirming and expanding on prior literature. This study focuses on the risk of relapse as it relates to NEO PI-R individual facets, which have not been previously explored with a sample size of this magnitude. These findings can guide clinical care of patients with SUD, allowing for more targeted treatment.

The Situated Assessment Method (SAM2): Establishing individual differences in habitual behavior

From the perspectives of grounded, situated, and embodied cognition, we have developed a new approach for assessing individual differences. Because this approach is grounded in two dimensions of situatedness-situational experience and the Situated Action Cycle-we refer to it as the Situated Assessment Method (SAM2). Rather than abstracting over situations during assessment of a construct (as in traditional assessment instruments), SAM2 assesses a construct in situations where it occurs, simultaneously measuring factors from the Situated Action Cycle known to influence it. To demonstrate this framework, we developed the SAM2 Habitual Behavior Instrument (SAM2 HBI). Across three studies with a total of 442 participants, the SAM2 HBI produced a robust and replicable pattern of results at both the group and individual levels. Trait-level measures of habitual behavior exhibited large reliable individual differences in the regularity of performing positive versus negative habits. Situational assessments established large effects of situations and large situation by individual interactions. Several sources of evidence demonstrated construct and content validity for SAM2 measures of habitual behavior. At both the group and individual levels, these measures were associated with factors from the Situated Action Cycle known to influence habitual behavior in the literature (consistency, automaticity, immediate reward, long-term reward). Regressions explained approximately 65% of the variance at the group level and a median of approximately 75% at the individual level. SAM2 measures further exhibited well-established interactions with personality measures for self-control and neuroticism. Cognitive-affective processes from the Situated Action Cycle explained nearly all the variance in these interactions. Finally, a composite measure of habitualness established habitual behaviors at both the group and individual levels. Additionally, a composite measure of reward was positively related to the composite measure of habitualness, increasing with self-control and decreasing with neuroticism.

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.

Personality traits and substance use among college students in Eldoret, Kenya

BACKGROUND

There is documented evidence of the increase of alcohol and substance use among college students globally. Increased morbidity and associated maladaptive socio-occupational outcomes of the habit with early dependence and mortality have also been reported. Majority of the substance use related studies conducted in low- and middle- income countries mainly look at health- related risk behaviour control mechanisms that focus on the social environment domain, with few or almost none focusing on those embedded within the person (self- control). This study focuses on the relationship between substance use and personality traits (in the self-control domain), among college students in a low- middle- income country.

METHODS

Design. A cross- sectional descriptive study that used the self- administered WHO Model Core and the Big Five Inventory Questionnaires to collect information among students in Colleges and Universities in Eldoret town, Kenya. Setting. Four (1- university campus; 3- non- university) tertiary learning institutions were randomly selected for inclusion. Subjects. Four hundred students, 100 from each of the 4 institutions; selected through a stratified multi-stage random sampling, who gave consent to participate in the study. Associations between various variables, personality traits and substance use were tested using bivariate analysis, while the strength/ predictors of association with substance use was ascertained through multiple logistic regression analyses. A finding of p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The median age was 21 years (Q1, Q3; 20, 23), approximately half 203 (50.8%) were male, with majority 335 (83.8%) from an urban residence and only 28 (7%) gainfully employed. The lifetime prevalence of substance use was 41.5%, while that of alcohol use was 36%. For both, a higher mean neuroticism score [substance use- (AOR 1.05, 95%CI; 1, 1.10: p = 0.013); alcohol use- (AOR 1.04, 95%CI; 0.99, 1.09: p = 0.032)] showed increased odds of lifetime use, while a higher mean agreeableness score [substance use- (AOR 0.99, 95%CI; 0.95, 1.02: p = 0.008); alcohol use- (AOR 0.99, 95%CI; 0.95, 1.02: p = 0.032)] showed decreased odds of lifetime use. A higher mean age (AOR 1.08, 95% CI; 0.99, 1,18: p = 0.02) of the students also showed an 8% increase in odds of lifetime alcohol use. The lifetime prevalence of cigarette use was 8.3%. Higher mean neuroticism (AOR 1.06, 95%CI; 0.98, 1.16: p = 0.041) and openness to experience (AOR 1.13, 95%CI; 1.04, 1.25: p = 0.004) scores showed increased odds of lifetime cigarette smoking, whereas being unemployed (AOR 0.23, 95%CI; 0.09, 0.64: p<0.001) had a decreased odd. Other substances reported included cannabis 28 (7%), sedatives 21 (5.2%), amphetamines 20 (Catha edulis) (5%), tranquilizers 19 (4.8%), inhalants 18 (4.5%), cocaine 14 (3.5%), with heroin and opium at 10 (2.5%) each. Among the 13 participants who reported injecting drugs, 10 were female and only 3 were male; this finding was statistically significant (p = 0.042).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of substance use among college and university students in Eldoret is high and associated with high neuroticism and low agreeableness personality traits. We provide directions for future research that will examine and contribute to a deeper understanding of personality traits in terms of evidence- based approach to treatment.

Association between personality and cognitive performance in middle-aged and older adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

BACKGROUND

Nearly half of adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) experience HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND), characterized by cognitive impairments in two or more cognitive domains, which can interfere with everyday functioning. Many factors are thought to influence such cognitive impairments in adults with HIV; one factor seldom examined is personality.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the association between five major dimensions of personality (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) and cognitive function in older adults with HIV.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, a secondary data analysis was conducted on 261 HIV + participants. Participants completed a norm-based cognitive battery covering seven cognitive domains, which yielded the following indices: global cognitive impairment, and global and domain-specific T-scores. The Big Five Inventory was used to assess personality traits.

RESULTS

Higher openness, conscientiousness, and agreeableness were associated with better performance on individual cognitive domains while agreeableness and openness were also positively associated with global cognitive T-scores (p < .01). Only openness significantly predicted global cognition when adjusting for covariates (p < .01).

DISCUSSION

Openness was associated with better global cognitive function in persons with HIV. This study provides a basis for further investigation of potential mechanisms for the association between personality and cognition in people with HIV in order to ultimately inform intervention strategies.

Predictive influence of personality traits on retirement anxiety among universities staff in Osun State, Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Retirement anxiety may occur in retirement-eligible staff, and their reaction may depend on their personality traits. This study examined the predictive influence of five-factor personality traits on retirement anxiety among non-academic staff in some selected universities in Osun State, Nigeria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study utilized a multistage sampling technique. Two self-administered instruments, Redeemer's University Retirement Anxiety Scale and Mini-International Personality Item Pool were completed by 463 non-academic staff in five selected universities in Osun State, Nigeria. Descriptive statistics (frequency and percentages) and inferential statistics (hierarchical regression, two-sample t-test, and one-way ANOVA) were used to analyze data.

RESULTS

The study found a high prevalence rate of retirement anxiety (85.1%) among university staff in Nigeria. In all, 13%, 16%, and 12.5% of the participants showed high levels of retirement anxiety dimensions (personal obligation, financial planning, and social detachment), respectively. Sociodemographic and personality traits jointly accounted for statistically significant (16%, 29%, and 22%) changes in personal obligation (R2 =0.16, P <.01), financial planning (R2 =0.29, P <.01), and social detachment (R2 =.22, P <.01), respectively. Personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism) and socio-demographic variables (age, educational level, job tenure, and job status) jointly contributed to the prediction of retirement anxiety dimensions (obligation concerns, financial planning, and social detachment).

CONCLUSION

The findings highlighted the need for psychosocial interventions targeting the at-risk population was highlighted.

Personality Traits Associated with the Risk of Exercise Dependence in Ultraendurance Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study

Exercise dependence (ED) is common in endurance athletes and can lead to physical and psychological distress with various health effects. We designed a prospective cross-sectional study to investigate the personality traits associated with ED among ultraendurance athletes. A total of 507 participants (41.6 (9.8) years, men: 73.7%) completed (1) a screening questionnaire about sociodemographic data, sporting habits, and healthcare data, (2) the Exercise Dependence Scale-Revised (EDS-R, 21 items scored from 1 (never) to 6 (always), 7 subscales), (3) the Big Five Inventory (BFI), and (4) 2 items of the SCOFF (Sick-Control-One Stone-Fat-Food) questionnaire regarding possible eating disorders. Based on the EDS-R scores, 37 (7.3%) participants were at risk for ED (scores ≥ 5/6 on ≥3 subscales), 366 (72.2%) were nondependent but symptomatic (scores ≥ 3/6 on ≥3 subscales), and 104 (20.5%) were asymptomatic. Participants with ED had a greater training volume and a higher prevalence of possible eating disorders. A higher level of neuroticism was associated with increased EDS-R scores (r = 0.294; p < 0.001), with significantly higher scores in the ED group (F = 14.50, p < 0.001). The association between neuroticism and ED was not moderated by the presence of eating disorders. These findings will help to screen ultraendurance athletes at risk for ED and optimize their care.

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 personality traits predict illegal drug use in young people

Previous studies have looked at the associations between personality traits and illegal drug use in people across various age groups and in various countries. However, much less is known about how personality traits relate to illegal drug use in young people aged between 16 and 21 in the context of the United Kingdom, who are in a unique developmental period that is more vulnerable to illegal drugs. Moreover, previous studies have only looked at the relationship between personality traits and illegal drug use status, and less much is known about how personality traits relate to drug use frequency. The current study analyzed the data by using a binary and ordinal logistic regression to analyze responses from 775 young drug users and 2757 young non-drug users from UKHLS. The results found that Neuroticism, Openness, and Extraversion are positively related to ever illegal drug use whereas Agreeableness and Conscientiousness are negatively associated with ever illegal drug use during the past year. However, only Agreeableness, Openness, and Conscientiousness were associated with the frequency of illegal drug use. To conclude, the current study contributes to theories that propose illegal drug use is a result of personality traits such as the self-derogation theory and the problem behavior theory, which propose that substance use is a result of personality. Psychologists might use this information as a method to identify potential populations who are at risk of taking illegal drugs, which may benefit preventive interventions that can reduce illegal drug use in young people. Future studies should use more objective measures, examine different types of drug use, and test these associations in other cultures.

Explainable machine learning analysis reveals sex and gender differences in the phenotypic and neurobiological markers of Cannabis Use Disorder

Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) has been linked to a complex set of neuro-behavioral risk factors. While many studies have revealed sex and gender differences, the relative importance of these risk factors by sex and gender has not been described. We used an “explainable” machine learning approach that combined decision trees [gradient tree boosting, XGBoost] with factor ranking tools [SHapley’s Additive exPlanations (SHAP)] to investigate sex and gender differences in CUD. We confirmed that previously identified environmental, personality, mental health, neurocognitive, and brain factors highly contributed to the classification of cannabis use levels and diagnostic status. Risk factors with larger effect sizes in men included personality (high openness), mental health (high externalizing, high childhood conduct disorder, high fear somaticism), neurocognitive (impulsive delay discounting, slow working memory performance) and brain (low hippocampal volume) factors. Conversely, risk factors with larger effect sizes in women included environmental (low education level, low instrumental support) factors. In summary, environmental factors contributed more strongly to CUD in women, whereas individual factors had a larger importance in men.

Linguistic predictors from Facebook postings of substance use disorder treatment retention versus discontinuation

Background: Early indicators of who will remain in - or leave - treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) can drive targeted interventions to support long-term recovery.Objectives: To conduct a comprehensive study of linguistic markers of SUD treatment outcomes, the current study integrated features produced by machine learning models known to have social-psychology relevance.Methods: We extracted and analyzed linguistic features from participants' Facebook posts (N = 206, 39.32% female; 55,415 postings) over the two years before they entered a SUD treatment program. Exploratory features produced by both Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modeling and the features from theoretical domains of religiosity, affect, and temporal orientation via established AI-based linguistic models were utilized.Results: Patients who stayed in the SUD treatment for over 90 days used more words associated with religion, positive emotions, family, affiliations, and the present, and used more first-person singular pronouns (Cohen's d values: [-0.39, -0.57]). Patients who discontinued their treatment before 90 days discussed more diverse topics, focused on the past, and used more articles (Cohen's d values: [0.44, 0.57]). All ps < .05 with Benjamini-Hochberg False Discovery Rate correction.Conclusions: We confirmed the literature on protective and risk social-psychological factors linking to SUD treatment in language analysis, showing that Facebook language before treatment entry could be used to identify the markers of SUD treatment outcomes. This reflects the importance of taking these linguistic features and markers into consideration when designing and recommending SUD treatment plans.

Association between Polymorphism rs1799732 of DRD2 Dopamine Receptor Gene and Personality Traits among Cannabis Dependency

Compared to other addictive substances, patients with cannabis addiction are significantly outnumbered by those who report dependence on other, more addictive substances. Unfortunately, most cannabis addiction goes untreated, and among those who choose treatment, the requirements are much higher for adolescents and young adults.

THE AIM OF THE STUDY

To examine the relationship of cannabinoid dependency in the genetic context-the association between the rs1799732 polymorphism of the DRD2 gene and psychological traits and anxiety.

METHODS

The study group consisted of 515 male volunteers. Of these, 214 patients were diagnosed with cannabis addiction and 301 were non-addicted. Patients were diagnosed with NEO Five-Factor Personality Inventory (NEO-FFI), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaires. The interactions between personality traits and polymorphisms in the DRD2 rs1799732 gene were investigated in a group of cannabis-addicted patients and non-addicted controls using the real-time PCR method.

RESULTS

Compared to the control group, the case group obtained significantly higher scores on the STAI State, STAI Trait, Neuroticism and Openness scales, as well as lower scores on the Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness scales. There was no statistically significant difference between addicts and the control group in the frequency of genotypes, but there was a statistically significant difference between addicts and the control group in the frequency of the DRD2 allele rs179973. The multivariate ANOVA analysis showed a statistically significant influence of the DRD2 rs1799732 genotype on the NEO-FFI agreeableness scale and a statistically significant effect of addiction to cannabinoids or its absence on the NEO-FFI agreeableness scale score.

CONCLUSIONS

Studying homogeneous subgroups-as in our study-seems reasonable, particularly when combined with genetic determinants and psychological traits. In multigenic and multifactorial entities, such a strategy has a future.

Examining Attitudes to Psilocybin: Should Candidates for Medical Psilocybin be Required to Pass a Contextual Suitability Test?

Due to increasing evidence of efficacy in treating mental health disorders, psilocybin may become a legal medicinal drug. This study tested the validity of Carhart-Harris and Nutt’s (2017) model of extra-pharmacological (EP) factors. It examined whether such factors should be considered in any psychological suitability test for medicinally prescribed psilocybin. Two hundred nineteen participants (101 self-identified females, 109 males, seven nonbinary people, and two who preferred not to say), in an age range of 18 to 68 years, completed three online measures of personality— Set, Setting, and Intention—and the Attitudes Toward Psilocybin (ATP) scale. The sample was equally divided between those who had used psychedelics (52.1%) and those who had no previous psychedelic use (47.5%). A series of stepwise linear regressions were run to examine whether EP factors predicted ATP scores. The ATP scale was tested for reliability, construct validity, and determinant validity and was deemed an appropriate measure. A model consisting of a positive Set, Openness to Experience, and lower Extraversion significantly predicted ATP scores. These findings supported the EP model and suggested that a suitability test may be a useful tool when determining whether a prescription of psilocybin is an appropriate course of treatment.

Swear Word Fluency, Verbal Fluency, Vocabulary, Personality, and Drug Involvement

Abstract. Swearing is stereotypically associated with socially undesirable traits and behaviors, including limited verbal ability, disagreeable personality, and alcohol use. We sought to demonstrate that, contrary to such stereotypes, swear word fluency (i.e., ability to generate swear words) does not arise from a lack of verbal skills. We also explored whether swear word fluency might serve as an index of personality traits related to drug use. Accordingly, we conducted a preregistered study in which 266 undergraduates at a US university ( Mage = 19.36; 66.9% self-identified as women and 49.6% as White) completed measures of swear word fluency, verbal fluency (i.e., overall ability to generate words), vocabulary, Big Five traits, sensation seeking, and drug use. We observed positive associations between swear word fluency and verbal fluency, vocabulary, Openness, and Extraversion, and a negative association with Agreeableness. Moreover, swear word fluency accounted for unique variance in self-reported drug use over and above that accounted for by personality and general verbal ability. Swear word fluency might serve as one of few tasks where higher scores predict more drug involvement, justifying further work linking this measure with other aspects of personality and drug use.

Extending the "Worst of Both Worlds" hypothesis to the developmental antecedents of crime and substance use: school bullying and alcohol experimentation

The "Worst of Both Worlds" (WBW) hypothesis holds that individuals who both commit crime and misuse drugs are at significantly greater risk for future crime and drug problems than individuals who only commit crime or only misuse drugs. In the current investigation, two developmental antecedents of crime and substance use-school bullying and alcohol experimentation-were used to form four WBW conditions (no bullying or alcohol experimentation, alcohol experimentation without bullying, bullying without alcohol experimentation, and bullying with alcohol experimentation). Analyzing data from 3837 (1951 boys, 1886 girls) early adolescents from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (mean age = 12.4 years at baseline), it was noted that children who engaged in bullying and had experimented with alcohol by age 12/13 were significantly more likely to increase their involvement in delinquency and substance use by age 16/17 compared to children who did not engage in bullying and had not experimented with alcohol, children who bullied but had not experimented with alcohol, and children who experimented with alcohol but had not bullied. These results not only support the WBW hypothesis, they also suggest that the effect may have developmental origins beyond similarities in externalizing symptomatology.

Feasibility, Appropriateness, and Willingness to Use Virtual Reality as an Adjunct to Counseling among Addictions Counselors

INTRODUCTION

Research suggests that virtual reality (VR) experiences can be helpful as adjunctive tools in psychotherapy for some mental health conditions. VR is a computer-generated experience that produces a feeling of being immersed in a different environment. VR experiences could be useful in the treatment of substance use disorders, and several are currently being tested. However, few psychotherapists report using VR experiences in their practices, even when doing so is well-supported. Understanding key barriers and concerns about using VR among drug/alcohol counselors is important to ultimately encouraging adoption.

METHODS

Licensed counselors (N = 101) who provide treatment to clients with substance use disorders were recruited via email Listservs, professional organizations, and social media. Participants viewed a 15-minute educational video about VR and then completed a survey of their views about using it with their clients.

RESULTS

Most clinicians (82%) believed they would be likely to use a VR experience in drug/alcohol counseling, and 81% believed it would be appropriate for most of their clients. A minority (19%) noted important concerns, including that their clients may be skeptical of it (15%), cost (14%), and space (10%). Those who had cost and space concerns were less likely to report high use intentions (OR = 0.29 and OR = 031, both p < .05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that addictions counselors are eager to use VR, but key barriers should be addressed. VR developers should incorporate features to encourage trust among users, design experiences for small spaces, and explore ways of supporting the purchase of VR systems for counselors.

Personality and demographic characteristics of parents who occasionally use psychoactive substances

Although parenting is considered a turning point that reduces non-normative behaviours, some parents choose to occasionally continue using various drugs. The present study examines the personality and demographic characteristics of these parents by comparing three parent groups: those who do not use at all, those who use only cannabis and those who use other substances. Three self-report quantitative questionnaires: Demographic, Patterns of use of psychoactive substances and the Big Five Personality traits questionnaire, were administered to 627 parents. The findings show that the proportion of unmarried and secular men is higher in the group of parents who use substances. They also were found to be younger and less educated than the other parent's groups. We examined the parents' personality characteristics using the Big Five model and found that parents who use substances occasionally exhibit higher levels of extraversion and openness to experiences, and lower levels of conscience. The differences found in the characteristics of parents who use cannabis to those who use other substances, indicate the normativeness of cannabis use among parents, and reflect the need for intervention programs among parents who use substances, which may have a great influence on drug use among their children.

Do Personality Traits Matter? Exploring Anti-drug Behavioral Patterns in a Computer-Assisted Situated Learning Environment

Drug abuse has been and continues to be, a common social issue worldwide, yet the efficiency of widely adopted sweeping speech for anti-drug campaigns has proven inefficient. To provide students with a safe and efficient learning situation related to drug refusal skills, we used a novel approach rooted in a serious learning game and concept map during a brief extracurricular period to help students understand drugs and their negative effects. The proposed game-based situational learning system allowed all students to participate simultaneously and individually in multiple scenarios of drug temptation posed by peers and classmates to practice responding and refusing drugs in school and community settings. Moreover, to explore whether different personality traits (such as the Big Five personality traits) result in different anti-drug responses, we used a serious game to conduct an anti-drug experiment on 53 junior middle school students aged 13–15. Each participant’s decision-making process was recorded in the serious game as behavioral patterns for lag sequential analysis (LSA). The outcomes revealed seven behavioral patterns including differentiation (D), acceptance (A), effective (ER) and ineffective responses (IR), effective (ES) and ineffective solution-seeking (IS), and failure to refuse (F). The GSEQ (Generalized Sequential Querier) which is a computer program for analyzing sequential observational data was used. The results indicated the following: (1) Neuroticism was performed at a relatively low level under the guidance of a concept map. (2) “Neuroticism” was associated with the lowest risk of accepting drugs. (3) Students with “openness to experiences” were at high risk of accepting drugs. (4) Almost all personality behavioral transition diagrams showed that failure to refuse (F) drugs was followed by inefficient seeking of help (SI) and inefficient refusal (RI). These findings provide reference points for designing adaptive anti-drug education programs.

Some psychiatric comorbidity among patients with substance abuse disorder related to pregabalin

Background

Pregabalin abuse is increasing worldwide and frequently comorbid with another psychiatric disorders including generalized anxiety, major depression, personality disorders, and suicide. Eighty-three patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for substance abuse disorders related to pregabalin were identified from the addiction clinic of El Khanka Psychiatric Hospital in Egypt for this observational cross-sectional study. We aimed to assess clinical characteristics of substance abuse disorder related to pregabalin, suicidal ideation, and psychiatric comorbidities associated with them. All participants were subjected to semi-structured interview designed to collect and identify the sociodemographic data and patterns of substances use, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV axis I disorders to diagnose comorbid major depression and generalized anxiety, Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV axis II disorders for diagnosis of borderline and antisocial personality disorders, Addiction Severity Index, Beck Depressive Inventory, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation and urine screening test for pregabalin and other substances.

Results

Forty-seven percent of the studied group had generalized anxiety disorder, 74.7% had major depression disorder, some patients had both major depression and generalized anxiety disorders, 78.3% had borderline personality disorder, 37.3% had antisocial personality disorder, and some patients had both borderline and antisocial personality disorders. There was a statistically significant increase in suicidal ideation among subjects with major depression, generalized anxiety, previous suicidal attempts, and borderline personality disorder.

Conclusions

There is a high comorbidity between pregabalin abuse and major depression disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, borderline personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder. These psychiatric comorbidities were associated with high risk of suicidal ideations.

Personality and Everyday Functioning in Older Adults With and Without HIV

In a cross-sectional multi-method study of older adults living with and without HIV (n = 202; 69.8% HIV seropositive), we tested associations between personality traits and everyday functioning, and whether these associations differed depending on HIV serostatus. We found that higher levels of conscientiousness and lower levels of neuroticism were associated with higher odds of being clinically independent (vs. dependent) in everyday functioning. These findings replicated across self- and clinician-reports and persisted above and beyond relevant covariates. We found no evidence of interactions between personality and HIV serostatus, suggesting that personality was equally important for everyday functioning regardless of HIV serostatus. Given the present findings and the knowledge that personality is dynamic and amenable to intervention, we discuss two different possible pathways for intervention meant to improve everyday functioning and quality of life among older adults with and without HIV: personality change and personalized medicine.

Antecedents and outcomes of work-family conflict: A mega-meta path analysis

This study examines the mediating role of work-to-family conflict and family-to-work conflict between the Big Five personality traits and mental health thereby enhancing theoretical development based upon empirical evidence. Integrating Conservation of Resources theory with the self-medication hypothesis, we conducted a mega-meta analytic path analysis examining the relationships among employees’ Big Five traits, work-to-family conflict and family-to-work conflict, anxiety and depression, and substance use. We produced a ten-by-ten synthetic correlation matrix from existing meta-analytic bivariate relationships to test our sequential mediation model. Results from our path analysis model showed that agreeableness and conscientiousness predicted substance use via mediated paths through both work-to-family conflict and family-to-work conflict and sequentially through depression as well as through family-to-work conflict followed by anxiety. Extroversion and openness-to-experience had relatively weaker influences on substance use through work-to-family conflict, anxiety, and depression. Neuroticism was the strongest driver of the two forms of conflict, the two mental health conditions, and substance use. From this model it can be inferred that work-to-family conflict and family-to-work conflict may be generative mechanisms by which the impact of personality is transmitted to mental health outcomes and then to substance use when analyzed via a Conservation of Resources theory lens.

Association between platelet MAO activity and lifetime drug use in a longitudinal birth cohort study

RATIONALE

Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity, a marker of central serotonergic capacity, has been associated with a variety of problem behaviours. However, studies on platelet MAO activity and addictive drugs have not consistently linked MAO activity with addiction or reported to predict illicit substance use initiation or frequency.

OBJECTIVES

Platelet MAO activity and illicit drug use was examined in a longitudinal birth cohort study.

METHODS

The sample included both birth cohorts (original n = 1238) of the Estonian Children Personality Behaviour and Health Study. Longitudinal association from age 15 to 25 years between platelet MAO activity and lifetime drug use was analysed by mixed-effects regression models. Differences at ages 15, 18 and 25 were analysed by t-test. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to assess the association between platelet MAO activity and the age of drug use initiation.

RESULTS

Male subjects who reported at least one drug use event had lower platelet MAO activity compared to nonusers, both in cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. Males with low platelet MAO activity had started to use drugs at a younger age. Moreover, in male subjects who had experimented with illicit drugs only once in lifetime, low platelet MAO activity was also associated with higher risk at a younger age. In females, platelet MAO activity was not associated with drug use.

CONCLUSION

In males, low platelet MAO activity is associated with drug abuse primarily owing to risk-taking at early age.

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.

Analysis of Relationships between DAT1 Polymorphism Variants, Personality Dimensions, and Anxiety in New Psychoactive Substance (Designer Drug) (NPS) Users

The use of ‘new psychoactive substances’ appears to be increasingly common. The aim of this study was to examine biological and personality determinants in individuals who choose to use these substances, which may help in the prevention and treatment of psychoactive substance use disorders. The study group consisted of 374 male volunteers; all were users of ‘new psychoactive substances’ (NPS). The NPS users were recruited after they had abstained—for at least 3 months—from any substance of abuse in addiction treatment facilities. The NPS patients and the control subjects were examined by a psychiatrist using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.), the NEO Five-Factor Personality Inventory (NEO-FFI), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scales. The real-time PCR method was used for genotyping. When we compared the controls with the study group, statistically significant interactions were found between DAT1 polymorphism, neuroticism, and NPS use. NPS use and DAT1 polymorphism were associated with a higher level of neuroticism on the NEO-FFI scale. The study group of NPS users showed a higher severity of anxiety symptoms, both in terms of trait and state, compared to the control group. The results may support the idea that neuroticism and anxiety correlate strongly with coping motives for using NPS.

Stressful life events and openness to experience: Relevance to depression

BACKGROUND

Stressful life events are known as risk factors for depression, though there is considerable heterogeneity in how people respond to stress. Previous studies have found an association between experience of stressful life events and the personality trait of openness to experience, which itself has been associated with intelligence, creativity, risk-taking, and other clinically relevant behaviors. In this study we explore the association between stressful life events and openness to experience as a potential developmental pathway to depression in the Amish and Mennonites, rural populations with high degree of social and environmental homogeneity.

METHODS

Participants in the Amish Connectome Project (n=531) were assessed with the NEO personality inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Maryland Trait and State Depression scales, a Life Stressors Inventory, and cognitive tests.

RESULTS

We found that stressful life events were significantly associated with openness to experience; that participants with a history of depression exhibited higher levels of openness; and that openness to experience was related to overall intelligence but not processing speed or working memory. We found evidence that openness to experience partially mediates the relationship between stressful life events and depression.

LIMITATIONS

This was a cross-sectional study, limiting interpretation of causal pathways. High levels of inter-relatedness among participants may have led to exaggerated effects compared to the general population.

CONCLUSIONS

Together these findings indicate a complex developmental influence of major stressful life events, which paradoxically by enhancing openness may be associated with both greater intellectual engagement as well as psychopathology.

Personality-related factors among incarcerated recidivist drug dealers: A path analysis

BACKGROUND

Although drug trafficking is one of the most prevalent crimes around the world, drug dealers used to be a hard-to-reach population far away from attention by public health programmes. Decisions to participate in such instrumental crimes, however, are based on external and internal factors that could be investigated and perhaps modified.

AIM

To identify drug use problems and personality factors consistently related to the drug trafficking recidivism among incarcerated drug dealers.

METHOD

Data were from 179 men serving a sentence for drug trafficking in two Brazilian penitentiaries who were asked to complete mainly self-ratings of alcohol and drug use, impulsiveness, personality and criminological features. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and structured equation modelling.

RESULTS

Incarcerated recidivist drug dealers are younger, more likely to be non-white, have more frequently used illicit drugs before the penalty and have higher alcohol use-severity than non-recidivists. Neuroticism, extraversion, severity of alcohol use and drug use before the penalty were each positively correlated with recidivism. Openness to experience was not associated with a history of recidivism but, rather, positively correlated with better school achievement. One third of the men took up the offer of feedback from the research assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that social, drug-related and personality style variables come together to allow likely recidivist drug dealers to be distinguished from those unlikely to resume dealing after imprisonment. Given scarce resources for constructive intervention, this is important. We were impressed by the men's willingness to co-operate with the study, despite their reputation for being in thrall to the drug trade hierarchy, and by their curiosity about themselves. This bodes well for further investigation of relevant psychological indicators and consequently informed intervention.

A discriminant analysis model of psychosocial predictors of problematic Internet use and cannabis use disorder in university students

Researchers have found similarities and differences between behavioral and drug addictions. The present study was designed to explore which of a series of psychosocial predictors of addictive behaviors could differentiate problematic Internet use (PIU) and Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) in a sample of University students. A total of 144 participants (76 males, mean age = 23.03 years ± 2.83) were separated into three groups: those presenting with PIU (18 females, Mean age = 22.27 years), those presenting with CUD (22 female, Mean age = 22.73 years), and a control group (28 female, Mean age = 24.04 years). Participants completed the Internet Abusive Use Questionnaire (IAUQ), the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), the Multidimensional Distress Tolerance Scale (MDTS), the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), the Metacognitions Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30), and the Repetitive Thinking Questionnaire-10 (RTQ-10). The classification analysis results showed that 68.8% of the control group, 70.8% of the PIU group, and 81.3% of the CUD group were correctly classified in their respective groups. In addition, the results of the discriminant function analysis showed that there was a significant difference between members of the PIU and CUD groups in the degree of family support (0.45), significant other (0.33), tolerance of physical discomfort (0.30), reappraisal (0.42), and cognitive confidence (0.35). The findings provide evidence that specific psychosocial predictors can discriminate PIU from CUD.

Correlation between Gut Microbiota and Six Facets of Neuroticism in Korean Adults

A person high in neuroticism is more likely to experience anxiety, stress, worry, fear, anger, and depression. Previous studies have shown that the gut microbiota can influence personality and mental disorders, including stress, anxiety, and depression, through the gut-brain axis. Here, we investigated the correlations between the sub-facet of neuroticism and gut microbiota using the Revised NEO Personality Inventory and the 16S rRNA gene sequencing data 784 adults. We found that the high anxiety and vulnerability group showed significantly lower richness in microbial diversity than a group with low anxiety and vulnerability. In beta diversity, there was a significant difference between the low and high groups of anxiety, self-consciousness, impulsiveness, and vulnerability. In taxonomic compositions, Haemophilus belonging to Gammaproteobacteria was correlated with the Neuroticism domain as well as N1 anxiety and N6 vulnerability facets. The high N1 anxiety and N6 vulnerability group was correlated with a low abundance of Christensenellaceae belonging to Firmicutes Clostridia. High N4 self-consciousness was correlated with a low abundance of Alistipes and Sudoligranulum. N5 impulsiveness was correlated with a low abundance of Oscillospirales. Our findings will contribute to uncovering the potential link between the gut microbiota and neuroticism, and the elucidation of the correlations of the microbiome-gut-brain axis with behavioral changes and psychiatric cases in the general population.

Emerging Attitudes Regarding Decriminalization: Predictors of Pro-Drug Decriminalization Attitudes in Canada

Canada and the United States have recently evaluated the decriminalization of drugs as multiple provinces and states put motions forward to consider drug decriminalization legislation. The influence of factors such as demographics, substance use, perceived substance use risk, and personality have not been widely studied in predicting attitudes toward drug decriminalization. A total of 504 participants were drawn from university ( n = 269, 53.37%) and community samples ( n = 235, 46.63%) through online social media groups and posts (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, etc). Analyses indicated that male gender, single or non-married relationship status, living outside of Atlantic Canada, higher problematic alcohol use scores, lower Extraversion, higher Open-mindedness, and lower perceived risk of using substances emerged as significant predictors of support for drug decriminalization. These findings have important implications as public attitudes toward a substance influence drug policy.

Personality and psychological health in caregivers of older relatives: a case-control study

OBJECTIVES

Being a caregiver of an older adult is often associated with poor psychological outcomes and stress. Individual differences, such as personality, may moderate responses to caregiving. In this study, we examined (a) personality and psychological health of family caregivers compared to non-caregivers and (b) tested interactions between caregiver status and personality (both domains and facets) in predicting psychological outcomes.

METHODS

Data were from an online sample of caregivers of older relatives (N = 491; 71.9% females) and matched controls (N = 491). Participants completed the Big Five Inventory-2 and a comprehensive set of psychological health and well-being measures.

RESULTS

Compared to non-caregivers, caregivers had higher neuroticism, lower energy level (extraversion facet) and higher compassion (agreeableness facet). They also reported higher depression, anxiety, loneliness, and lower well-being and life satisfaction. Personality traits and facets had strong associations with psychological outcomes, and these associations were similar across the two groups. Only a few significant interactions between caregiver status and personality were found: For instance, higher neuroticism (in particular, higher scores on anxiety and depression facets) exacerbated anxiety among caregivers.

CONCLUSIONS

Personality is a relevant correlate of psychological health. In the context of caregiving, its assessment may help to identify caregivers at risk of poor outcomes and inform intervention programs. Further research is needed to replicate the findings and investigate longitudinal interrelations among variables.

Neuroticism and Risk of Parkinson's Disease: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Neuroticism is linked to mood disorders and Alzheimer's disease, but fewer studies have tested the prospective association with Parkinson's disease (PD).

OBJECTIVES

To examine the association between neuroticism and risk of PD in a large cohort and a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.

METHODS

Participants from the UK Biobank (N = 490,755) completed a neuroticism scale in 2006-2010. Incident PD was ascertained using electronic health records or death records up to 2018. The systematic search and meta-analysis followed the MOOSE guidelines.

RESULTS

During 11.91 years of follow-up (mean = 8.88 years; 4,360,105 person-years) 1142 incident PD cases were identified. Neuroticism was associated with higher risk of incident PD, both as continuous (HR = 1.28; 95% CI: 1.21-1.36) and categorical variable (top vs. bottom quartiles: HR = 1.88; 95% CI: 1.60-2.22). The association remained significant after accounting for age, sex, smoking, physical activity, anxiety, and depressed mood, and after excluding cases that occurred within the first 5 years of follow-up. The associations were similar for women and men and across levels of socioeconomic status. Random-effect meta-analysis of four prospective studies (N = 548,284) found neuroticism associated with increased risk of incident PD (HR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.59-2.08; P = 7.31-19 ). There was no evidence of heterogeneity across studies with follow-ups ranging from one to four decades.

CONCLUSION

The results from the large UK Biobank and meta-analysis of prospective studies indicate that neuroticism is consistently associated with a higher risk of incident PD. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

A cross-national examination of cannabis protective behavioral strategies' role in the relationship between Big Five personality traits and cannabis outcomes

Background: Problematic cannabis use is common among young adults across the world. However, limited research has examined whether etiological models predicting negative consequences are universal.Objective: The present study examined whether the Five-Factor Model of personality (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) relates to cannabis outcomes via use of cannabis protective behavioral strategies (PBS) in a cross-national sample of college student cannabis users (i.e., used cannabis in the last 30 days).Method: Participants were 1175 university students (63.27% female) across five countries (United States, Argentina, Spain, Uruguay, and the Netherlands) recruited to complete an online survey.Results: PBS use mediated the associations between personality traits and cannabis consequences, such that higher conscientiousness (β = .20), agreeableness (β = .11), and lower emotional stability [i.e., higher neuroticism] (β = -.14) were associated with more PBS use. Higher PBS use was, in turn, associated with lower frequency of cannabis use (β = -.32); lower frequency of use was then associated with fewer cannabis consequences (β = .34). This sequential pathway was invariant across sex, but not countries. Notably, there were a number of differences in links between PBS and cannabis outcomes when comparing countries (e.g., negative associations in the US sample, but positive associations in the Argentina sample).Conclusions: Cannabis PBS mediates the relationship between personality traits and cannabis outcomes, but there are nuanced differences across countries (i.e., relationship between PBS and cannabis outcomes). Overall, students that are low in conscientiousness, agreeableness, and neuroticism and/or report low rates of PBS use may benefit from cannabis PBS-focused interventions that promote utilization of PBS.

Social Information Processing in Substance Use Disorders: Insights From an Emotional Go-Nogo Task

Positive social connections are crucial for recovery from Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Of interest is understanding potential social information processing (SIP) mediators of this effect. To explore whether persons with different SUD show idiosyncratic biases toward social signals, we administered an emotional go-nogo task (EGNG) to 31 individuals with Cocaine Use Disorder (CoUD), 31 with Cannabis Use Disorder (CaUD), 79 with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), and 58 controls. Participants were instructed to respond to emotional faces (Fear/Happy) but withhold responses to expressionless faces in two task blocks, with the reverse instruction in the other two blocks. Emotional faces as non-targets elicited more "false alarm" (FA) commission errors as a main effect. Groups did not differ in overall rates of hits (correct responses to target faces), but participants with CaUD and CoUD showed reduced rates of hits (relative to controls) when expressionless faces were targets. OUD participants had worse hit rates [and slower reaction times (RT)] when fearful faces (but not happy faces) were targets. CaUD participants were most affected by instruction effects (respond/"go" vs withhold response/"no-go" to emotional face) on discriminability statistic A. Participants were faster to respond to happy face targets than to expressionless faces. However, this pattern was reversed in fearful face blocks in OUD and CoUD participants. This experiment replicated previous findings of the greater salience of expressive face images, and extends this finding to SUD, where persons with CaUD may show even greater bias toward emotional faces. Conversely, OUD participants showed idiosyncratic behavior in response to fearful faces suggestive of increased attentional disruption by fear. These data suggest a mechanism by which positive social signals may contribute to recovery.

Towards an understanding of how stress and resources affect the nonmedical use of prescription drugs for performance enhancement among employees

Based on assumptions of the Job Demands-Resources model, we investigated employees’ willingness to use prescription drugs such as methylphenidate and modafinil for nonmedical purposes to enhance their cognitive functioning as a response to strain (i.e., perceived stress) that is induced by job demands (e.g., overtime, emotional demands, shift work, leadership responsibility). We also examined the direct and moderating effects of resources (e.g., emotional stability, social and instrumental social support) in this process. We utilized data from a representative survey of employees in Germany (N = 6454) encompassing various job demands and resources, levels of perceived stress, and willingness to use nonmedical drugs for performance enhancement purposes. By using Structural Equation Models, we found that job demands (such as overtime and emotional demands) and a scarcity of resources (such as emotional stability) increased strain, consequently directly and indirectly increasing the willingness to use prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement. Moreover, emotional stability reduced the effect of certain demands on strain. These results delivered new insights into mechanisms behind nonmedical prescription drug use that can be used to prevent such behaviour and potential negative health consequences.

Is personality associated with dementia risk? A meta-analytic investigation

This study provides a quantitative synthesis of the prospective associations between personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness) and the risk of incident Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. We conducted five separate meta-analyses with 8-12 samples (N = 30,036 to 33,054) that were identified through a systematic literature search following the MOOSE guidelines. Higher neuroticism (HR = 1.24, 95% CI [1.17, 1.31]) and lower conscientiousness (HR = 0.77, 95% CI [0.73, 0.81]) were associated with increased dementia risk, even after accounting for covariates such as depressive symptoms. Lower extraversion (HR = 0.92, 95% CI [0.86, 0.97]), openness (HR = 0.91, 95% CI [0.86, 0.96]), and agreeableness (HR = 0.90, 95% CI [0.83, 0.98]) were also associated with increased risk, but these associations were less robust and not significant in fully adjusted models. No evidence of publication bias was found. The strength of associations was unrelated to publication year (i.e., no evidence of winner's curse). Meta-regressions indicated consistent effects for neuroticism, openness, and conscientiousness across methods to assess dementia, dementia type, follow-up length, sample age, minority, country, and personality measures. The association of extraversion and agreeableness varied by country. Our findings indicate robust associations of neuroticism and conscientiousness with dementia risk.

Health-related quality of life and pain interference in two patient cohorts with neuropathic pain: breast cancer survivors and HIV patients

OBJECTIVES

Persistent pain is common in HIV patients and breast cancer (BC) survivors. The aim of this study was to compare two patient groups with neuropathic pain (NP) regarding several psychological variables and Health-related Quality of Life. Although, treatment of pain is always planned individually, the knowledge of the differences and similarities between the patient groups may help us to understand more precisely the targets of the interventions for pain.

METHODS

Eighty nine BC and 73 HIV patients with symptoms of neuropathic pain (patients with ≥3/7 in the Douleur Neuropathique four interview part (DN4i)) participated in a cross-sectional study. Patients completed questionnaires about mood (HADS), symptoms of insomnia (ISI), pain catastrophizing (PCS), personality (TIPI), Mental and Physical Health-related Quality of Life (M/PHrQoL, RAND/SF-36), and pain intensity and interference (BPI). Analyses were applied by using t-tests and linear regression to assess associations between the studied factors.

RESULTS

HIV patients reported higher anxiety (p<0.001), depressive symptoms (p<0.001), pain catastrophizing (p<0.001) and pain interference (p<0.001), poorer sleep (p<0.001), and lower HrQoL in all dimensions compared with BC survivors. There were significant differences in personality traits extraversion, emotional stability, and agreeableness between the two patient groups. In HIV patients, pain interference (β=-0.344, p<0.001) and mood (β=-0.580, p<0.001) and in the BC group, mood (β=-0.591, p<0.001), extraversion (β=0.229, p=0.005) and sleep (β=-0.154, p=0.042) associated with MHrQoL. Pain interference (HIV β=-0.645, p<0.001, BC β=-0.491, p<0.001) and age (HIV β=-0.016, p=0.042 and BC β=-0.018, p=0.019) associated with PHrQoL in both groups, and catastrophizing in the BC group (β=-0.303, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

HIV patients and BC survivors with neuropathic pain, measured with DN4i, have significant differences in various health-related variables and Health-related Quality of Life with both patient groups reporting low HrQoL. The differences in low HrQoL may reflect the fundamental differences between these diseases, BC survivors in remission and HIV patients living with a chronic disease that is under control. This study brings information about the diversity of different patient populations with symptoms of neuropathic pain, and how neuropathic pain associates with wide range of health-related factors. Interventions to support better coping with the symptoms of neuropathic pain could be tailored more individually if the background disease is taken into account.

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.

The development of temperament and maternal perception of child: A cross-cultural examination in the United States and Japan

Previous research shows cross-cultural differences in adult personality and child temperament, yet the developmental origin of these cultural differences remains unclear. To understand a potential role of socialization grounded in cultural values, this study investigated culturally specific maternal perceptions of child and children's development of temperament in the U.S. and Japan. Maternal perception of child was assessed via maternal interview in the U.S. (n = 42) and Japan (n = 40). Six months after the interview, child's temperament was assessed. Cross-cultural differences in maternal perception of child and child's temperament, and the relation between the two were analyzed. US-American infants scored higher on the surgency/extraversion trait than Japanese infants, whereas Japanese infants scored higher on the negative affectivity/neuroticism trait than US-American infants. US-American mothers used more positive evaluation and private/autonomy descriptions of their infants, whereas Japanese mothers used more negative evaluation and context-specific descriptions of their infants by making references to other people, time, or location. Child's negative affectivity trait was closely related to maternal perception of child's social/context characteristics and negative evaluations. The findings provide support for the socio-cultural framework of temperament development and suggest an important consideration of cultural factors when designing educational and parenting programs.