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Personality Functioning and Antisociality of Youth Accessing Residential Substance Use Withdrawal in Australia
Nathan Akoka1,2,3,4, Ajibola Akintola2, Alexandre A Guerin3,4
1Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia.
Introduction:
This study examined the prevalence and associations of personality dysfunction and antisociality among youth accessing residential substance use disorder (SUD) withdrawal.
Methods:
Participants were 100 youth (57% female) aged 18-25 scheduled or admitted to residential SUD withdrawal in Victoria, Australia. Personality dysfunction was assessed using the Level of Personality Functioning Scale-Self Report and Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) Impairment Interview. SUDs were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5, early maladaptive schemas using the Young Schema Questionnaire-Rach, and antisocial attitudes using the Measures of Criminal Attitudes and Associates.
Results:
All participants met criteria for at least one SUD (M = 2.2, SD = 2.1); 66% endorsed two or more SUDs. Nearly half the sample met the threshold for likely general personality disorder (PD; 48%), while 43% met criteria for likely ASPD. Chi-square analyses indicated that likely general personality disorder (χ2 = 12.4, p < 0.001) and likely ASPD (χ2 = 13.5, p < 0.001) were associated with polysubstance use. Likely ASPD was associated with cannabis (χ2 = 9.3, p < 0.01), methamphetamine (χ2 = 4.9, p < 0.05), alcohol (χ2 = 4.3, p < 0.05) and sedative (χ2 = 4.9, p < 0.05) use disorders. Elevated early maladaptive schemas were common; 59% reported a prior arrest, and 23% reported 10 or more.
Discussion And Conclusions:
Personality dysfunction and antisociality appear common among youth accessing residential withdrawal, supporting the assessment of personality functioning in this population. Future research should examine whether integrating personality-informed or schema-focused approaches within withdrawal services improves outcomes.
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