Fabien Gierski1,2, Farid Benzerouk1,2, Elodie De Wever3, Theodora Duka4, Arthur Kaladjian1,2, Véronique Quaglino3, Mickaël Naassila5. 1. Cognition Health Socialization Laboratory (C2S - EA 6291), Reims Champagne-Ardenne University, Reims, France. 2. Department of Psychiatry, Reims University Hospital, Reims, France. 3. CRP-CPO Laboratory (EA7273), Jules Verne Picardie University, Amiens, France. 4. Sussex Addiction Research and Intervention Centre (SARIC), School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom. 5. INSERM ERi24 GRAP, Research Group on Alcohol and Pharmacodependences, Jules Verne Picardie University, Amiens, France.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Temperament and character dimensions of personality remain largely unexplored in young adults exhibiting binge drinking (BD) patterns. Moreover, the available studies do not consider gender differences and dismiss possible personality heterogeneity among binge drinkers. In this study, we aimed to compare temperament and character dimensions between young binge drinkers and age- and sex-matched social drinkers. We further applied cluster analysis to investigate the potential heterogeneity of personality patterns among BD college students. METHODS: This study included 200 university students of 18 to 24 years of age, who were recruited via an invitation to take an alcohol use survey. These participants included 100 individuals (50 females and 50 males) with a BD pattern, and 100 participants (50 females and 50 males) with a social drinking (SD) pattern. These subjects were evaluated with regard to their use of alcohol and other substances, impulsiveness, sensation seeking, mood, and Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory. RESULTS: Between-group comparisons revealed that both male and female binge drinkers were characterized by high levels of novelty seeking, and low levels of persistence and self-directedness. However, cluster analyses within the binge drinker group revealed 2 distinct groups that differed between males and females. These groups shared similarities with Cloninger's type I (high harm-avoidance) and II (high novelty-seeking) alcoholism typology. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings support the subdivision of binge drinkers according to gender and personality dimensions. Male and female binge drinkers should not be considered a unitary group, but rather a population of individuals that encompasses at least 2 distinct personality patterns. These findings have major implications for prevention and treatment approaches.
BACKGROUND: Temperament and character dimensions of personality remain largely unexplored in young adults exhibiting binge drinking (BD) patterns. Moreover, the available studies do not consider gender differences and dismiss possible personality heterogeneity among binge drinkers. In this study, we aimed to compare temperament and character dimensions between young binge drinkers and age- and sex-matched social drinkers. We further applied cluster analysis to investigate the potential heterogeneity of personality patterns among BD college students. METHODS: This study included 200 university students of 18 to 24 years of age, who were recruited via an invitation to take an alcohol use survey. These participants included 100 individuals (50 females and 50 males) with a BD pattern, and 100 participants (50 females and 50 males) with a social drinking (SD) pattern. These subjects were evaluated with regard to their use of alcohol and other substances, impulsiveness, sensation seeking, mood, and Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory. RESULTS: Between-group comparisons revealed that both male and female binge drinkers were characterized by high levels of novelty seeking, and low levels of persistence and self-directedness. However, cluster analyses within the binge drinker group revealed 2 distinct groups that differed between males and females. These groups shared similarities with Cloninger's type I (high harm-avoidance) and II (high novelty-seeking) alcoholism typology. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings support the subdivision of binge drinkers according to gender and personality dimensions. Male and female binge drinkers should not be considered a unitary group, but rather a population of individuals that encompasses at least 2 distinct personality patterns. These findings have major implications for prevention and treatment approaches.
Authors: Elizabeth K Wood; Maribeth Champoux; Stephen G Lindell; Christina S Barr; Stephen J Suomi; J Dee Higley Journal: Am J Primatol Date: 2019-09-02 Impact factor: 3.014
Authors: Elise E DeVito; Andrea H Weinberger; Raina D Pang; Nicole Petersen; Tessa Fagle; Alicia M Allen Journal: Curr Behav Neurosci Rep Date: 2020-07-15
Authors: Elizabeth K Wood; Ryno Kruger; Elysha Cash; Stephen G Lindell; Melanie L Schwandt; Christina S Barr; Stephen J Suomi; J Dee Higley Journal: Addict Biol Date: 2019-10-31 Impact factor: 4.093