Personality Characteristics of Adolescents with Hallucinogen, Methamphetamine, and Cannabis Dependence: A Comparative Study
Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse – December 05, 2005
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Adolescents in substance abuse treatment preferring hallucinogens exhibit distinct personality profiles compared to cannabis users. Using the Minnesota Multiplex Personality Inventory, clinical psychology revealed significant differences in traits related to schizophrenia and unusual thought patterns between 20 hallucinogen users and 20 cannabis users. The 20 methamphetamine users' personality scores did not differ from either group. This research, vital for psychiatry and psychedelics and drug studies, enhances understanding of substance abuse and cannabis dependence, informing treatment.
Abstract
ABSTRACT A comparison of personality factors on scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent (MMPI-A) was conducted with a sample of adolescents referred to a residential substance abuse treatment program. A total of sixty adolescents identified with hallucinogen (n = 20), cannabis (n = 20), or methamphetamine (n = 20) as their drug of choice participated in the study. All adolescents met criteria for hallucinogen, cannabis, or methamphetamine dependence in accordance with their assigned groups. Adolescents were matched by age and gender. Primary analysis revealed significant differences between hallucinogen and cannabis groups on the Hypochondrias is (Hs), Schizophrenia (Sc), and Adolescent-Bizarre Mentation (A-biz) scales. Post hoc analyses on remaining Clinical, Content, and Validity scales revealed significant differences between hallucinogen and cannabis groups on the Infrequency (F) scale. Scores on all scales of the methamphetamine group were not significantly different from scale scores on the cannabis or hallucinogen groups. Although sample sizes were small, this is one of the first studies to utilize personality assessment in order to differentiate personality characteristics of adolescents who report hallucinogen (i.e., psilocybin mushroom), cannabis, or methamphetamine as drug of choice. KEYWORDS: HallucinogenscannabismethamphetamineMMPI-A