Psychological Determinants of Drug Addiction: A Study of Kashmiri youth

Substance abuse has been considered as one of the alarming problem throughout the world. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Drug Report, 2012 estimates that between 153 million and 300 million people age 15–64 used illicit drugs at least once in the past year and attributes 1 in every 100 adult deaths annually to illicit drug use. The field of psychology has also witnessed momentum over the research on psychological perspectives of substance abuse/drug addiction during the past two decades. Several psychological factors have been found associated with substance dependence or drug addiction. The present study attempts to find out the relationship of drug addiction/ substance dependence with personality dimensions of neuroticism and extraversion; impulsiveness and subjective wellbeing. The study also attempts to predict the significant psychological factors contributing to drug addiction/Substance dependence. Drug addicts/substance dependents who join de-addiction centres were compared with those who don‘t join de-addiction centres on personality dimensions (extraversion, neuroticism); impulsiveness and subjective wellbeing. The study also examines the self reported reasons of drug addicts/substance dependents for joining de-addiction centres or for not joining de-addiction centres and continuing drug use. One hundred and fifty male participants were selected in the study. One group of subjects (N=50) were taken from different drug de-addiction centres. Another group of drug addicts (N=100), include those who don‘t join drug de-addiction centres and were taken from different areas of Srinagar. Drug addiction/substance dependence was assessed using Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test- V 3.0 (ASSIST-V 3.0); Personality (neuroticism and extraversion) were assessed using Modified version of Eysenck's Maudsley‘s Personality Inventory (MPI 1959- S.S Jalota and S.D Kapoor); Impulsivity was assessed using Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Version -11 (BIS-11) & Subjective wellbeing by Subjective Wellbeing Inventory –SUBI (Nagpal and sell, 1992). Apart from these tools a self designed semi structured interview schedule was used to collect the responses of the subjects pertaining to their reasons for joining de-addiction centre or reason for not joining de-addiction and continuing drug use. The data collected was analyzed by using appropriate statistical techniques like Pearson‘s product moment correlation, multiple regression analysis, t-test and also content analysis for qualitative date. The results showed significant positive correlation between drug addiction/ substance dependence and neuroticism (r=0.269, P ≤ 0.01). However, the relationship between drug addiction/substance dependence and Extraversion was found negative but insignificant. Overall impulsiveness (r = 0.204, p ≤ 0.05) and two of it‘s sub factors i;e Attentional impulsiveness (r = 0.230, P ≤ 0.01) and non-planning impulsiveness (r = 0.183, p ≤ 0.05) showed significant positive correlation with drug addiction/ substance dependence. However motor impulsiveness (a sub factor of impulsiveness) showed insignificant correlation with drug addiction/substance dependence. Subjective wellbeing and it‘s factorial dimensions showed insignificant correlation with drug addiction/ substance dependence. Neuroticism was found as the only significant predictor of drug addiction/ substance dependence. The results also showed significant difference between drug addicts/substance dependents who join de-addiction centres and drug addicts/substance dependents who don‘t join de-addiction centres on extraversion (t=2.574, p ≤ 0.05). However no such difference was found between the two groups on Neuroticism. Significant difference was also found between drug addicts/ substance dependents who join de-addiction centres and drug addicts/ substance dependents who don‘t join de-addiction centres on motor impulsiveness (t=2.10, p ≤ 0.05).However the difference between the two groups on overall impulsiveness and two of it‘s sub factors (Attentional impulsiveness and Non-planning impulsiveness) was not found statistically significant. Significant difference was found between drug addicts/substance dependents who join de-addiction centres and drug addicts who don‘t join de-addiction centres on general wellbeing positive affect (t=1.986, p ≤ 0.05), confidence in coping (t = 2.240, p ≤ 0.05), primary group concern (t= 2.486, p ≤ 0.05), and perceived ill health (t= 2.890, p ≤ 0.01) dimension of subjective wellbeing. However the difference between these two groups on the rest of the factorial dimensions of subjective wellbeing and overall SWB was not found statistically significant. Health concern, dignity of self and their families, and family concern /family pressure were found as the major self reported reasons for joining de-addiction centres. Denial, feeling in control, and recreational drug use were found as the major self reported reasons for not joining de-addiction centres and continuing drug use. Most of the results of the study were found in tune with the findings of the previous relevant research. The limitations of the study and the suggestions for future research have been mentioned

Impulsivity: four ways five factors are not basic to addiction

Several impulsivity-related models have been applied to understanding the vulnerability to addiction. While there is a growing consensus that impulsivity is multifaceted, debate continues as to the precise number of facets and, more critically, which are most relevant to explaining the addiction-risk profile. In many ways, the current debate mirrors that which took place in the personality literature in the early 1990s (e.g., Eysenck's 'Big Three' versus Costa and McCrae's 'Big Five'). Indeed, many elements of this debate are relevant to the current discussion of the role of impulsivity in addictive behavior. Specifically, 1) the use of factor analysis as an atheoretical 'truth-grinding machine'; 2) whether additional facets add explanatory power over fewer; 3) the delineation of specific neurocognitive pathways from each facet to addictive behaviors, and; 4) the relative merit of 'top-down' versus 'bottom-up' approaches to the understanding of impulsivity. Ultimately, the utility of any model of impulsivity and addiction lies in its heuristic value and ability to integrate evidence from different levels of analysis. Here, we make the case that theoretically-driven, bottom-up models proposing two factors deliver the optimal balance of explanatory power, parsimony, and integration of evidence. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Steps to a neurochemistry of personality [Letter]

Depue & Collins's (D&C's) work relies on extrapolation from data obtained through studies in experimental animals, and needs support from studies of the role of dopamine (DA) neurotransmission in human behaviour. Here we review evidence from two sources: (1) studies of patients with Parkinson's disease and (2) positron emission tomography (PET) studies of DA neurotransmission, which we believe lend support to Depue & Collins's theory, and which can potentially form the basis for a true neurochemistry of personality

Linking cognitive measures of response inhibition and reward sensitivity to trait impulsivity

Impulsivity is regarded as a multifaceted construct that comprises two dimensions: rapid-response impulsivity and reward-delay impulsivity. It is unclear, however, which aspects of trait impulsivity, as assessed by self-report measures are related to rapid-response impulsivity and/or to reward-delay impulsivity, as different results have been reported in studies using both self-report and cognitive measures. This study aimed to directly relate self-report measures of impulsivity to cognitive measures of impulsivity in individuals at low- or high-levels on two impulsivity dimensions, specifically rapid-response impulsivity and reward-delay impulsivity. Participants were classified into high- or low-impulsivity groups based on (1) level of rapid-response impulsivity (determined by BIS-11 Motor subscale scores); (2) level of reward-delay impulsivity (determined by BIS/BAS subscale scores); and (3) a combination of rapid-response impulsivity and reward-delay impulsivity levels. Impulsivity was assessed using Go/No-Go, Stop-Signal and Delay-Discounting tasks and self-report measures. The high rapid-response impulsivity group showed significantly higher reward-delay impulsivity on both, the Delay-Discounting tasks and on self-report measures assessing reward-delay impulsivity, than the low-risk group. Based on the level of reward-delay impulsivity, the high reward-delay impulsivity group scored significantly higher on task-based (cognitive) and self-report measures assessing rapid-response inhibition than the low reward-delay impulsivity group. Combining both dimensions of impulsivity showed that the high-impulsivity group performed significantly worse in rapid-response paradigms and temporally discounted significantly more impulsively than the low-impulsivity group. Thus, combined impulsivity factors provide better assessment of impulsivity than each dimension alone. In conclusion, robust differences in impulsivity can be identified in non-clinical young adults

The applied psychology of addictive orientations : studies in a 12-step treatment context.

The clinical data for the studies was collected at The PROMIS Recovery Centre, a Minnesota Model treatmentc entre for addictions,w hich encouragesth e membership and use of the 12 step Anonymous Fellowships, and is abstinence based. The area of addiction is contextualised in a review chapter which focuses on research relating to the phenomenon of cross addiction. A study examining the concept of "addictive orientations" in male and female addicts is described, which develops a study conductedb y StephensonM, aggi, Lefever, & Morojele (1995). This presents study found a four factor solution which appeared to be subdivisions of the previously found Hedonism and Nurturance factors. Self orientated nurturance (both food dimensions, shopping and caffeine), Other orientated nurturance (both compulsive helping dimensions and work), Sensation seeking hedonism (Drugs, prescription drugs, nicotine and marginally alcohol), and Power related hedonism (Both relationship dimensions, sex and gambling. This concept of "addictive orientations" is further explored in a non-clinical population, where again a four factor solution was found, very similar to that in the clinical population. This was thought to indicate that in terms of addictive orientation a pattern already exists in this non-clinical population and that consideration should be given to why this is the case. These orientations are examined in terms of gender differences. It is suggested that the differences between genders reflect power-related role relationships between the sexes. In order to further elaborate the significance and meaning behind these orientations, the next two chapters look at the contribution of personality variables and how addictive orientations relate to psychiatric symptomatology. Personality variables were differentially, and to a considerable extent predictably involved with the four factors for both males and females.Conscientiousness as positively associated with "Other orientated Nurturance" and negatively associated with "Sensation seeking hedonism" (particularly for men). Neuroticism had a particularly strong association with the "Self orientated Nurturance" factor in the female population. More than twice the symptomatology variance was explained by the factor scores for females than it was for males. The most important factorial predictors for psychiatric symptomatology were the "Power related hedonism" factor for males, and "Self oriented nurturance" for females. The results are discussed from theoretical and treatment perspectives

The Role of Psychosocial Factors in the Non-Medical Use of Prescription Stimulants Among Undergraduate Greek-life Members

The non-medical use of prescription stimulants (NMUPS) is a growing concern across U.S. college campuses. Amphetamine misuse increased from 7.7% to 11.1% among undergraduate students over the past decade. Research has identified Greek-life members are twice as likely to report NMUPS in comparison to non-Greek-life members; however, little is known about social and psychological factors contributing to this discrepancy. While researchers have identified specific personality characteristics significantly correlated with higher levels of reported NMUPS, including sensation seeking and internal restlessness, currently little is known about social factors related to NMUPS. It is important to examine psychosocial variables motivating NMUPS in college students, and specifically Greek-life members, given the social nature of these at-risk groups. This study sought to fill these gaps by examining the role of resistance to peer influence on college students reported engagement in NMUPS (without prescription) within an identified model of use involving internal restlessness and sensation seeking. A total of 613 undergraduate participants (Women: n = 418; Greek-life affiliates: n = 116) from a southeastern university were included in final analyses. A majority of the participants were 19 years of age. The results supported previous research whereby internal restlessness and sensation seeking traits predicted NMUPS (without prescription), however, resistance to peer influence failed to add predictive validity to this model. Moreover, participants from rural geographic regions were at significantly greater risk of lifetime use of NMUPS (without prescription) than participants from suburban/urban geographic regions. The findings suggest that identifying alternative and adaptive techniques to substitute NMUPS, rather than focusing on the influence of the peer group, could be an effective treatment strategy for undergraduate students