NCJ Number
196754
Journal
Journal of Drug Education Volume: 32 Issue: 2 Dated: 2002 Pages: 95-105
Editor(s)
Robert M. Huff M.P.H
Date Published
2002
Length
11 pages
Annotation
In this study, intended to examine expected personality characteristics, five personality factors were used to rate two individuals, each described with either signs of alcohol dependence or not, for the purposes of helping to explain prior findings concerning the social handicap of problem drinking with regard to making friends, dating, marriage, and working, and, to aid in problem drinking prevention and treatment.
Abstract
There are five big personality factors that are commonly used to describe the fundamental elements of personality by personality researchers. These factors are agreeableness, extraversion, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience. In the search for causes of alcohol abuse and dependence, personality traits that distinguish problem drinkers from other individuals are routinely explored. However, one question, that was addressed in this study that had not been explored previously, was whether people expect individuals with drinking problems to exhibit low agreeableness and conscientiousness, and high neuroticism, and whether these three key characteristics were variables that linked problem drinking and negative social effects for the drinker. Two methods of study were used: categorization of prior findings about specific personality traits of problem drinkers in terms of the major five personality dimensions, using detailed descriptions for each factor, and collection of data about expected personality characteristics of heavy drinkers using a measure of the major five personality factors. One hundred ten university students participated in the experiment, rating the expected personality of each of two described persons, Chris and Pat, based on descriptions of activities, health condition, and marital status, with the two described versions being opposite to each other with regard to the drinking status and gender of the described person. A table is included describing the big five inventory scores showing expected characteristics of Chris and Pat. Results of the three relevant studies suggested that individuals expected problem drinkers to have narrow-band personality traits related to the same three big five personality factors, but also to have personality traits related to higher extroversion. By answering this question, it is theorized that individuals can be educated about specific, negative social effects of problem drinking, and alcoholics may be able to allay the concerns of others and eliminate or reduce their social handicap. 1 table, 14 references