Document Text Contents
Page 1
Effects of Personality Traits on Predicting Substance Dependence in University Students
by
Stephen R. Adams
A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of
Auburn University
in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Auburn, Alabama
August 3, 2013
Keywords: personality traits, substance dependence, psychoticism, extraversion,
neuroticism, lying, undergraduate students
Copyright 2013 by Stephen R. Adams
Approved by
E. Davis Martin, Jr., Chair, Wayne T. Smith Distinguished Professor and Department Head,
Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling
Marie Kraska, Mildred Cheshire Fraley Distinguished Professor, Educational Foundations,
Leadership, and Technology
Rebecca S. Curtis, Associate Professor, Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling
Page 2
ii
Abstract
College students who do not successfully complete undergraduate studies by obtaining
degrees have much lower average lifetime earnings than college students who do
Research suggests that one of the primary reasons for students
dropping out or flunking out of undergraduate school is excessive substance use. This study
used logistic regression analysis to determine the extent to which individual undergraduate
neuroticism may predict probability of having a substance dependence disorder. A fourth
e score on the same assessment. This study sought to
determine how well the model classified cases for which the outcome was unknown, and to
identify bivariate correlations among the four predictor variables. The results of this study
revealed that of the four predictor variables, only extraversion was a statistically significant
predictor of high probability of having a substance dependence disorder. The correct
classification of 73% of cases affirmed that overall, the model was effective at classifying cases
into one group or the other for which the outcome was unknown when all four predictor
variables were included simultaneously. An unexpected bivariate correlation revealed in this
study was that moderate, negative coefficients were identified for the correlation between
psychoticism and lying.
Page 61
52
p. nking,
unusual perceptual experiences including bodily illusions, odd thinking and speech,
suspiciousness or paranoid ideation, inappropriate or constricted affect, behavior that is odd,
eccentric or peculiar, and excessive social anxiety that does not diminish with familiarity and
Psychiatric Association, 2000, p. 645).
Several studies have linked chronic cannabis use among the general public and among
college and university students specifically to schizotypal personality traits. Fridberg, Vollmer,
and Skosnik (2011) conducted a study to measure the relationship between normal
personality, schizotypal personality, and cannabis use. Fridberg, et al. (2011) found that chronic
cannabis users have significantly more schizotypal personality traits than do people who do not
use cannabis. The Fridberg, et al. (2011) study provided additional evidence to the literature that
cannabis use and schizotypy are connected.
Additional Considerations
Substance use disorders are significantly connected to Axis II personality disorders, and
related to childhood adversity (Afifi, et al., 2011). This is evidence that the combination not only
negatively affects individuals with such comorbidity, but that the collateral damage is significant
for others, including children and adolescents in families of individuals with such comorbidity.
One study which addressed the effect on children examined associations connected to multiple
aspects of parental psychopathology. Harvey, Stoessel, and Herbert (2011) found that excessive
substance use and various specific personality traits were related to maternal negativity,
Page 62
53
fathers, Harvey, Stoessel, and Herbert (2011) found that the same symptoms, as well as avoidant
and dependent traits and excessive substance use were significantly connected to poor parenting.
The study included 182 mothers and 126 fathers of children with behavioral problems. The
results suggest that personality disorder symptoms figure prominently in chological
states and substance use, and influence parental practices.
To conclude the literature review, it is important to consider other studies which document
the connection or lack thereof between substance dependence and personality disorders in
general or collectively. To this point, Hopwood, et al. (2011) noted that personality disorders
may furnish latent risk factors for substance dependence. Hopwood, et al. (2011) compared
Schedule for Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality (SNAP) traits among 704 adults with current
alcohol and other substance use issues, past alcohol and other substance use issues, and no
history of alcohol or other substance use issues. Subjects were grouped based upon semi-
structured clinical interviews. The results supported previous research showing a propensity for
substance use among those with specific personality traits, and supported previous research
showing that the effects of substance use are significantly aligned with various traits associated
with several different personality disorders (Hopwood, et al., 2011). These traits include
impulsivity, tendencies to be manipulative, disinhibition, and self-harm. However, not all traits
were tested, and the lack of related data with regard to college and university students is
pronounced.
The finding that exhibitionism and disinhibition were significantly elevated among subjects
with past substance abuse or dependence diagnoses suggests evidence of a long lasting effect of
substance
those charged with treatment of substance abuse and dependence. Not only does the finding
Effects of Personality Traits on Predicting Substance Dependence in University Students
by
Stephen R. Adams
A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of
Auburn University
in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Auburn, Alabama
August 3, 2013
Keywords: personality traits, substance dependence, psychoticism, extraversion,
neuroticism, lying, undergraduate students
Copyright 2013 by Stephen R. Adams
Approved by
E. Davis Martin, Jr., Chair, Wayne T. Smith Distinguished Professor and Department Head,
Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling
Marie Kraska, Mildred Cheshire Fraley Distinguished Professor, Educational Foundations,
Leadership, and Technology
Rebecca S. Curtis, Associate Professor, Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling
Page 2
ii
Abstract
College students who do not successfully complete undergraduate studies by obtaining
degrees have much lower average lifetime earnings than college students who do
Research suggests that one of the primary reasons for students
dropping out or flunking out of undergraduate school is excessive substance use. This study
used logistic regression analysis to determine the extent to which individual undergraduate
neuroticism may predict probability of having a substance dependence disorder. A fourth
e score on the same assessment. This study sought to
determine how well the model classified cases for which the outcome was unknown, and to
identify bivariate correlations among the four predictor variables. The results of this study
revealed that of the four predictor variables, only extraversion was a statistically significant
predictor of high probability of having a substance dependence disorder. The correct
classification of 73% of cases affirmed that overall, the model was effective at classifying cases
into one group or the other for which the outcome was unknown when all four predictor
variables were included simultaneously. An unexpected bivariate correlation revealed in this
study was that moderate, negative coefficients were identified for the correlation between
psychoticism and lying.
Page 61
52
p. nking,
unusual perceptual experiences including bodily illusions, odd thinking and speech,
suspiciousness or paranoid ideation, inappropriate or constricted affect, behavior that is odd,
eccentric or peculiar, and excessive social anxiety that does not diminish with familiarity and
Psychiatric Association, 2000, p. 645).
Several studies have linked chronic cannabis use among the general public and among
college and university students specifically to schizotypal personality traits. Fridberg, Vollmer,
and Skosnik (2011) conducted a study to measure the relationship between normal
personality, schizotypal personality, and cannabis use. Fridberg, et al. (2011) found that chronic
cannabis users have significantly more schizotypal personality traits than do people who do not
use cannabis. The Fridberg, et al. (2011) study provided additional evidence to the literature that
cannabis use and schizotypy are connected.
Additional Considerations
Substance use disorders are significantly connected to Axis II personality disorders, and
related to childhood adversity (Afifi, et al., 2011). This is evidence that the combination not only
negatively affects individuals with such comorbidity, but that the collateral damage is significant
for others, including children and adolescents in families of individuals with such comorbidity.
One study which addressed the effect on children examined associations connected to multiple
aspects of parental psychopathology. Harvey, Stoessel, and Herbert (2011) found that excessive
substance use and various specific personality traits were related to maternal negativity,
Page 62
53
fathers, Harvey, Stoessel, and Herbert (2011) found that the same symptoms, as well as avoidant
and dependent traits and excessive substance use were significantly connected to poor parenting.
The study included 182 mothers and 126 fathers of children with behavioral problems. The
results suggest that personality disorder symptoms figure prominently in chological
states and substance use, and influence parental practices.
To conclude the literature review, it is important to consider other studies which document
the connection or lack thereof between substance dependence and personality disorders in
general or collectively. To this point, Hopwood, et al. (2011) noted that personality disorders
may furnish latent risk factors for substance dependence. Hopwood, et al. (2011) compared
Schedule for Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality (SNAP) traits among 704 adults with current
alcohol and other substance use issues, past alcohol and other substance use issues, and no
history of alcohol or other substance use issues. Subjects were grouped based upon semi-
structured clinical interviews. The results supported previous research showing a propensity for
substance use among those with specific personality traits, and supported previous research
showing that the effects of substance use are significantly aligned with various traits associated
with several different personality disorders (Hopwood, et al., 2011). These traits include
impulsivity, tendencies to be manipulative, disinhibition, and self-harm. However, not all traits
were tested, and the lack of related data with regard to college and university students is
pronounced.
The finding that exhibitionism and disinhibition were significantly elevated among subjects
with past substance abuse or dependence diagnoses suggests evidence of a long lasting effect of
substance
those charged with treatment of substance abuse and dependence. Not only does the finding
