Relationships of personality dimensions with impulsivity in alcohol-dependent inpatient men

Impulsivity is closely related to substance use and abuse, both as a contributor to use and as a consequence of use. Particular dimensions of temperament and character were reported to be associated with trait impulsivity in different populations.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship of personality dimensions with impulsivity among men with alcohol dependence. Also we wanted to control the effect of depression and anxiety symptoms on this relationship.

Participants were consecutively admitted male alcohol-dependent inpatients (n = 94) and healthy controls (n = 63). Patients were investigated with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, version 11 (BIS-11), the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and the Symptom Checklist-Revised (SCL-90-R).

Severity of impulsivity and dimensions of impulsivity were higher in alcohol-dependent inpatients than in healthy controls. Impulsivity was negatively correlated with reward dependence, persistence, self-directedness and cooperativeness, but positively correlated with novelty seeking, harm avoidance, depression and anxiety. Although high depression and temperament dimensions (high novelty seeking, harm avoidance and low reward dependence) predicted impulsivity, combinations of personality dimensions that predict dimensions of impulsivity differed.

RESULTS may suggest that together with depression when impulsivity is the problem, both dimensions of impulsivity and personality must be evaluated and the treatment should be shaped accordingly for alcohol-dependent inpatients.