Open J Psychiatry & Allied Sci. 2024 Mar 15. Epub ahead of print.

What addiction spells for the female psyche: a five-factor model personality profile comparison between alcohol dependence and multiple substance dependence in females.

Chatterjee S, Mukherjee T.

Abstract

Background: In spite of decades of research regarding substance dependence, till recently its manifestations were focused more so in males. The aim of the present study thus, was to explore and compare between the personality dimensions of females with addiction. Methods: For this purpose, 20 female patients having alcohol dependence and 20 female patients having multiple substance dependence were taken along with 20 matched female individuals for a healthy comparative group (HCG). All the groups were administered the sociodemographic clinical datasheet and NEO-Five Factor Inventory. Statistical analysis included Kruskal Wallis H test to find out the difference between the groups with substance dependence and HCG, followed by Mann Whitney U test as post hoc to find out the difference. Results: The results indicated that the groups with substance dependence differed significantly from HCG with respect to neuroticism, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Furthermore, results showed that there was no significant difference between the groups on the other two factors of extraversion and openness to experience. Post hoc analysis revealed no significant difference amongst the group with alcohol dependence and the group with multiple substance dependence on these domains even though both differed from HCG. Conclusion: This implies that female patients with alcohol dependence and multiple substance dependence had a higher level of negative affect, lower tendency to agree and exhibit less conscientiousness, that is be self-disciplined or well organised and in adhering to rules which may be related to their substance dependence.

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