Mood components of heroin addicted men: psychosocial correlates

A principal components analysis was performed on 200 male heroin addicts' self-ratings on the Profile of Mood States which was given before admission to a methadone maintenance program. Four components were identified as underlying the men's affect-Confused-depression, Vigor-friendliness, Anger-hostility, and possibly Fatigue-inertia; these mood dimensions corresponded to factors described for other clinical populations. A stepwise multiple regression was then performed to discover which of the addicts' background characteristics were related to the mood components. Confused-depression was positively correlated with being White, using marijuana, and seeking treatment without prior screening by a social agency; Vigor-friendliness was positively related to having been referred from a social agency and having started using opiates at a later age; Anger-hostility was positively correlated with using other drugs, such as Valium, not being religiously active, and smoking marijuana; and Fatigue-inertia was only positively associated with having been referred from a social agency.