Impulsivity and Sensation-Seeking Personality Traits as Predictors of Substance Use Among University Students

Although personality is associated with the onset of substance use (i.e., conventional smoking, alcohol use, and cannabis use) during adolescence, it is unclear whether personality traits are also associated with the onset of use of alternative tobacco products (ATPs), i.e., electronic cigarettes, shisha-pens, and water pipes. This study examines whether personality traits are associated with the onset of use of both conventional cigarettes and ATPs. Longitudinal data (baseline and 18-month follow-up) were used. The sample consisted of 1114 non-user adolescents (mean age = 13.36, SD = 0.93, 56% female) at baseline. To measure personality traits, the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale was used with four subscales: anxiety sensitivity, hopelessness, sensation seeking, and impulsivity. Structural equation models were conducted using Mplus 7.3. Results showed that both hopelessness and sensation seeking were associated with the onset of use of e-cigarettes and conventional cigarettes. Further, sensation seeking and impulsivity were associated with the onset of use of shisha-pens and water pipes. In conclusion, to prevent adolescents from using ATPs and/or conventional cigarettes, it is important to take their personality traits into account. More research on other (shared) risk factors and on more advanced stages of ATP use is needed before effective prevention strategies can be developed.

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Personality disorders: Which personality features lead to a comorbid substance use disorder?

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.1046 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. S306-S306

Author(s):

A. Lombardi ◽

A. Rossi ◽

C. Gramaglia ◽

L. Girardi ◽

P. Zeppegno

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Psychiatric Disorder ◽

Personality Traits ◽

Substance Use Disorder ◽

Sensation Seeking ◽

Outpatient Service ◽

Clinical Information ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Addictive Behaviors ◽

Personality Profile

IntroductionDual Diagnosis (DD) refers to coexistence of a psychiatric disorder, which is often a Personality Disorder (PD), and a Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Despite DD is a topic of interest in recent years, few studies have focused on the temperament and character traits of PD patients with or without a comorbid SUD. Anyhow, the assessment of personality traits may be helpful to understand the relation among psychiatric disorder, drug use and environment in patients with addictive behaviors.AimsThe aim of this study is to compare two subgroups of PD patients, with and without a comorbid SUD. Sociodemographic, clinical and personality profile, as assessed with the Temperament and Character Inventory, will be compared.MethodsWe are recruiting patients with a PD diagnosis referring either the psychiatry ward or outpatient service of the AOU “Maggiore della Carità”, Novara, Italy; secondly, we will group them according to the presence/absence of SUD. Cloninger's TCI-R will be administered together with a structured interview to gather sociodemographic and clinical information.ResultsData collection is ongoing; we expect to find a different personality profile in PD and DD Patients.ConclusionsTemperament, which is the biological part of the personality, seems to have an important role in addictive behavior; therefore assessing the personality traits of DD patients can help to improve the differential diagnosis and to establish strategies for treatment and prevention. In particular, sensation seeking and impulsivity are temperamental characteristics that may favor SUD in patients with psychiatric disorders.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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PSYCHOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF SUBSTANCE USE AMONG SOUTH AFRICAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Social Behavior and Personality An International Journal ◽

10.2224/sbp.2001.29.8.799 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 29 (8) ◽

pp. 799-806 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Karl Peltzer ◽

Dorothy Malaka ◽

Nancy Phaswana

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

University Students ◽

South African ◽

Sensation Seeking ◽

Psychiatric Morbidity ◽

Subjective Health ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

First Year ◽

Psychological Variables ◽

Psychological Correlates

The present study sought to investigate the relationships between substance use and psychological variables among 799 first-year South African university students chosen by random sampling. Psychological correlates (in terms of minor psychiatric morbidity, perceived stress, sensation-seeking, self-esteem, subjective health, and anomia) of substance use were found to be associated with the use of specific substances. Sensation-seeking was associated with the use of cannabis, alcohol and tobacco; minor psychiatric morbidity with cannabis and alcohol use; and anomia with cannabis use. Logistic regression on cannabis use identified male gender and sensation-seeking as independent predictors for current cannabis use.

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Reexamining the Psychometric Properties of the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale

Assessment ◽

10.1177/1073191118820135 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. 454-471 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Brittany E. Blanchard ◽

Angela K. Stevens ◽

Kenneth J. Sher ◽

Andrew K. Littlefield

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Personality Traits ◽

Measurement Invariance ◽

Sensation Seeking ◽

Psychometric Evaluation ◽

Risk Profile ◽

Self Report ◽

Clinical Settings ◽

Predictive Utility ◽

Empirically Supported

The Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS), a widely used self-report questionnaire, assesses four personality traits which predict risk for substance use (i.e., anxiety sensitivity, hopelessness, impulsivity, and sensation seeking). Given its use in research and clinical settings, as well as potential utility, this study aimed to provide a comprehensive psychometric evaluation of the SURPS. Undergraduate participants ( N = 718; 69% White; 26% Hispanic, aged 18-25 years, M = 19.00, SD = 1.33) completed a battery of measures, including the SURPS. Tests of measurement invariance, convergent and criterion validity, and internal consistency were conducted, as well as item response theory analyses and a treatment assignment simulation. Several items were removed before partial measurement invariance across gender was established with little information lost. Despite removing several SURPS items, the proposed factor structure was not empirically supported. More work is necessary to determine the predictive utility of assessing these personality traits to predict substance-related outcomes.

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Construct Validity of Sensation Seeking: A Psychometric Investigation

Zeitschrift für Differentielle und Diagnostische Psychologie ◽

10.1024//0170-1789.20.3.155 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 155-171 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

André Beauducel ◽

Burkhard Brocke ◽

Alexander Strobel ◽

Anja Strobel

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Construct Validity ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Factor Structure ◽

Sensation Seeking ◽

German Version ◽

Trait Theory ◽

Multilevel Theory ◽

Sensation Seeking Scale ◽

Psychometric Investigation

Abstract: Zuckerman postulated a biopsychological multilevel theory of Sensation Seeking, which is part of a more complex multi-trait theory, the Alternative Five. The Sensation Seeking Scale Form V (SSS V) was developed for the measurement of Sensation Seeking. The process of validation of Sensation Seeking as part of a multilevel theory includes analyses of relations within and between several levels of measurement. The present study investigates validity and basic psychometric properties of a German version of the SSS V in a broader context of psychometric traits. - The 120 participants were mainly students. They completed the SSS V, the Venturesomeness- and Impulsiveness-Scales of the IVE, the BIS/BAS-Scales, the ZKPQ and the NEO-FFI. - The results reveal acceptable psychometric properties for the SSS V but with limitations with regard to factor structure. Indications for criterion validity were obtained by prediction of substance use by the subscales Dis and BS. The results of a MTMM analysis, especially the convergent validities of the SSS V were quite satisfying. On the whole, the results yielded sufficient support for the validity of the Sensation Seeking construct or the instrument respectively. They also point to desirable modifications.

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Subclinical Sadism and the Dark Triad

Journal of Individual Differences ◽

10.1027/1614-0001/a000284 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (3) ◽

pp. 127-133 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Laura K. Johnson ◽

Rachel A. Plouffe ◽

Donald H. Saklofske

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

University Students ◽

Personality Traits ◽

Exploratory Factor Analysis ◽

Convergent Validity ◽

Dark Triad ◽

Antisocial Personality ◽

Factor Solution ◽

Online Study ◽

Antisocial Personality Traits

Abstract. The Dark Triad is a constellation of three antisocial personality traits: Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. Recently, researchers have introduced a “Dark Tetrad” that includes subclinical sadism, although others suggest considerable overlap between psychopathy and sadism. To clarify the position of sadism within the Dark Triad, an online study was conducted with 615 university students. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that a six-factor solution fit the data best, representing Machiavellianism, psychopathy, physical sadism, verbal sadism, narcissism, and vicarious sadism. Furthermore, convergent validity was supported through sadism’s correlations with the HEXACO personality traits. The results support sadism’s inclusion within the Dark Tetrad as a unique construct but with some conceptual overlap with psychopathy.

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