ALPHA PSYCHIATRY
Original Articles

Relationships of personality dimensions with impulsivity in heroin dependent inpatient men

Alpha Psychiatry 2014; 15: 8-14
DOI: 10.5455/apd.40633
Read: 933 Downloads: 562 Published: 01 February 2014

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of personality dimensions with impulsivity among men with heroin dependence. Also we wanted to control the effect of depression and anxiety symptoms on this relationship. Methods: Participants were consecutively admitted male heroin dependent (n=78) inpatients and healthy controls (n=63). Patients were investigated with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, version 11, the Temperament and Character Inventory, and the Symptom Checklist-Revised. Results: Severity of impulsivity and dimensions of impulsivity were higher in heroin dependent inpatients than healthy controls. Impulsivity was negatively correlated with reward dependence, persistence, self-directedness, and cooperativeness, whereas positively correlated with novelty seeking, harm avoidance, self-transcendence, depression and anxiety. Low self-directedness, persistence and high novelty seeking scores predicted impulsivity in heroin dependent male inpatients. Conclusions: Although depression predicted both attentional and motor impulsiveness, personality dimensions that predict impulsivity dimensions differed. This may suggest that when impulsivity is the problem, types of impulsivity and personality dimensions must be evaluated and the treatment should be shaped accordingly for heroin dependents. Key words: [Anadolu Psikiyatri Derg 2014; 15(1.000): 8-14]

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