THE TRIDIMENSIONAL THEORY OF PERSONALITY IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS

Abstract
Cloninger et al (1987) had hypothesized a tridimensional personality theory and a Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ) is designed to test this hypothesis on three independent dimensions -novelty seeking (NS), harm avoidance (HA) and reward dependence (RD)- to evaluate the personality trait. The present study include the actual state of knowledge about this hypothesis, proposed to underlie heritable individual differences in the three personality dimensions described earlier: NS, HA and RD. The D4 exon III receptor polymorphism accounts for only a small percent of the variance for NS suggesting that additional genes influence both NS and other temperaments. The correlation between NS and HA is only described mainly in substance abusers and could be consistent with findings between acting-out behavior and depressive symptomatology. Each system being described as complex, involving multiple brain structures and neurotransmitters, as described in relation to the development of anxiety and mood states, and personality disorders. Then, a positive relationship between serotonergic activity and harm avoidance in abstinent subjects and depressed patients are the main finding of this study. Substance abusers are commonly related with high NS and low HA and low RD while low Persistence (PE) is related with their frequent rate of relapse.

Key words
Tridimensional personality questionnaire, substance abuse, novelty seeking, harm avoidance, persistence.

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