Relationship between Big Five Personality Variables and Alcohol Dependence

Abstract

Drug dependence is defined as a chronically relapsing disorder characterized by a compulsion to seek out and use substances or stimulation, to continue doing so despite detrimental consequences, to lose control over how much one consumes, and to experience negative emotional states (such as dysphoria, anxiety, and irritability) when the drug is not present. The current study was conducted on diagnosed alcohol dependents to get insight into personality traits and their relationship with alcohol dependence. Personality traits always remain concomitant to mental health aspects. To enquire about the relationship between alcohol dependence and personality variables, the NEO-FFI inventory developed by Costa and McCrae (1992) was used to assess dominant personality traits contributing towards alcohol dependence. The total number of samples was 160 including 80 alcoholics and 80 controls. Major findings of the study are Neuroticism (f value=149.082, significant at .01 p level), Extraversion (F value= 11.836, significant at .01 p level), conscientiousness ( f value 125.293 significant at .01 p level) and agreeableness ( f value 160.916 significant at .01 p level). Neuroticism and Extraversion are significantly related to alcohol dependence whereas individuals who are high on conscientiousness and agreeableness (as their mean values are higher for the control group) are less likely to be alcohol dependents. So, we need to inculcate these two personality traits (agreeableness and conscientiousness) at an early age so that individuals remain confident to avoid drug use or abuse.