MMPI-2 profiles of clients with substance dependencies accessing a therapeutic community treatment facility

Abstract

The aim of the study was to describe the psychological profile, as measured by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), of 921 substance dependent clients assessed after five weeks admission to a Therapeutic Community (TC). Overall, the profile of the sample showed prominent peaks reflecting character disorder (high psychopathic deviate [Pd]) and disturbed thinking and affect (high schizophrenia [Sc]). The validity scales suggested that the sample was admitting to personal and emotional difficulties and requesting assistance with these problems. The psychotic triad was somewhat more elevated than the neurotic triad indicating distress about behaviours or symptoms related to psychotic disorders. Psychopathology was greater for women, who reported significantly higher scores on confusion, hypochondriasis, character disorder, and hysteria than men, although the shape of male and female MMPI-2 profiles was similar. Those aged up to 35 years scored significantly higher on five clinical scales (depression, character disorder, paranoia, Pd and Sc) than an older (35 and over) group; they also significantly differed on all the validity scales from their older counterparts. Clients who completed the MMPI-2 at five weeks but stayed less than four months at the TC were more likely to be younger, female and admit to psychopathology (lower defensiveness scores, higher mania) than those who went on to complete the first phase of treatment. The results suggest that substance dependent clients seeking treatment at a TC exhibit considerable psychological disturbance; more so for females and the younger cohort.

Investigation of Relationship between the Type D Personality and Locus of Control and Predicting Its Addiction Vulnerability

“…Also, based on regression analysis and type D personality, individual's addiction vulnerability can be predicted and the internal locus of control has a reverse relationship with addiction vulnerability. This study's results are consistent with the researches of Polimeni andcolleague (2010), Bond (2005), Ketabi et al (2009), Gorgani (1990) Lefcourt (1982), Almasi (1377) and Cheraghi (1389). In explaining these results, it can be discussed that people at high risk of addiction with stable tendency to experience negative emotions in different positions, experience more anxiety and panic and irritability than others.…”

“…Study performed in Iran showed that people with sensation seeking are ready to have a high addiction (Zargar, Najarian & Naemi, 2008). The studies showed that personality characteristics are important etiological factors in the trend of high-risk behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, drug abuse and unsafe sexual activity (Polimeni , Moore & Gruenert, 2010, Stefansson & Hesse, 2008, Ball & collegue, 2006, Meyer TD, Hoffman,2005, Kornor H, Nordvik, 2007, McCrae & Costa, 2007. Salehi (2001) conducted a study with the aim of investigating the predisposing personality characteristics of addiction and personality characteristics affecting on relapsing after treatment.…”

Consumo de sustancias psicoactivas y trastornos de la personalidad: estudio comparativo entre personas consumidoras y no consumidoras

“…Aunque el análisis de esta relación no es nueva (Bobes, Sáiz, García-Portilla Buena parte de los estudios tradicionales que han comparado perfiles de personalidad de consumidores con no consumidores, han estado centrados en el uso de pruebas de personalidad normal, como Big Five Questionnaire, Neo-Personality Invertory-Revised, o 16 Personality Factors Catell (Gantiva, Rodríguez, González y Vera, 2011;Terracciano, Löckenhoff, Crum, Bienvenu y Costa, 2008;Tiffon, 2008). Sin embargo, otros autores señalan, como herramienta para la evaluación de características de la personalidad de sujetos dependientes de sustancias, el uso del Inventario Multifásico de la Personalidad de Minnesota (Polimeni, Moore y Gruenert, 2010).…”

“…Por su parte, la evidencia al respecto de las diferencias de género frente al consumo y los trastornos de la personalidad es mixta (Pedrero y Rojo, 2008); mientras que sobre la variable edad, los estudios en pacientes no clínicos con el uso del Inventario Multifásico de la Personalidad de Minnesota sugieren que la depresión tiende a incrementar con la edad (Polimeni et al, 2010).…”

Cognitive Perfectionism between Substance Addicteds and Non-Addicts

“…Many theories and models attempted to explain the relationship of substance abuse with a different personality and psychological factors [5]. Perfectionism is a personality trait characterized as a set of high standards of performance and defined as negative self-evaluation, criticism, and self-blame [6,7].…”