Investigation of the relationship of substance use disorders with hopelessness, anxiety sensitivity, impulsivity and sensation seeking personality traits in adolescents (eng)

INTRODUCTION[|]In addition to the relationship between substance use and personality, the personality traits such as hopelessness, anxiety sensitivity, impulsivity, and sensation seeking are known to be particularly predictive of later substance misuse. These personality traits can be used as markers to provide early prevention intervention against substance use disorders. The present study aims to evaluate the relationship of the personality traits to substance use disorders (SUDs).[¤]METHODS[|]The sample for the first analysis consisted of 13-18-year-old outpatients with SUDs (n=30), outpatients with any psychiatric disorders other than SUDs (n=30), and community-based non-matched healthy controls (n=30). And then, the analysis for comparison among SUDs patient group and another healthy control group matched for age and sex (n=30) was repeated to minimize bias because of the gender heterogeneity in the groups. Substance abuse-related personality traits were measured with the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS). Also, Beck Hopelessness Scale, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Barratt Impulsivity Scale and Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking were used as data collection tools. Using independent samples t-test or one-way ANOVA and Tukey posthoc tests among two or more groups, the relationship was evaluated.[¤]RESULTS[|]Results show that there is no clear relationship between substance use disorders, and substance abuse-related personality traits measured by SURPS, with significant limitations. [¤]DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION[|]Our study is the first study assessing this relationship in a sample of Turkish adolescents. Further studies should be planned to determine whether the result of our study reflects objective reality or is affected by the limitations. [¤]