Personality Characteristics of Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder With and Without Substance Use Disorders

Abstract

We examined temperament and character profiles of 128 adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Participants completed the abbreviated Temperament and Character Inventory. The ASD and ADHD groups showed distinct temperament profiles (ADHD: high novelty seeking, ASD: low reward dependence, high harm avoidance) and low character scores in both groups. We then stratified ASD and ADHD into current substance use disorder (SUD+), former (SUD;), or no history of Substance Use Disorder (SUD-). Novelty seeking and reward dependence were only significantly lower for ASD/SUD-, but normal for ASD/SUD; and ASD/SUD+ subgroups. Persistence scores were highest in both SUD; subgroups. We concluded that temperament profiles of ASD and ADHD patients differ significantly, and are similar to profiles reported in earlier studies, but appear to depend on the SUD status. Surprisingly, normal social orientation is found in ASD patients with former or current SUD. High persistence scores characterize patients who overcome SUD.

A common allele in the oxytocin receptor gene ( OXTR ) impacts prosocial temperament and human hypothalamic-limbic structure and function

“…The TPQ (40) is a 100-item self-rating scale assessing four well-validated heritable temperamental traits. For the purposes of our study, we were particularly interested in the reward dependence (RD) subscale, an established measure that quantifies individual differences in human sociality in healthy subjects and psychiatric patient populations (45,46). Subjects with a high RD score are characterized by heightened sociability, reliance on social approval, and enhanced learning from rewarding interpersonal feedback, whereas low-RD subjects display socially detached and cold interpersonal traits.…”

ADHD Symptoms, Autistic Traits, and Substance Use and Misuse in Adult Australian Twins

“…For instance, given the prominence of peer infl uences on the initiation and regular use of alcohol, one might posit that individuals with ASD or higher levels of AT, unlike those with ADHD, might be at a lower likelihood of alcohol use. However, on initiation of alcohol use, progression to alcohol dependence may be accelerated in those with ASD or higher AT scores, as well as those with ADHD, via repetitive reinforcing behaviors (Sizoo et al, 2009), the co-aggregation of other psychopathologies (Caamaño et al, 2013), or other processes.…”

“…In general, it is expected that substance use might be rare in individuals with ASD (Santosh and Mijovic, 2006) because of a lack of social skills, resulting in reduced access to substance-using peers (Bauminger and Kasari, 2000;Prendeville et al, 2006) as well as lower-than-average novelty-seeking behavior (Sizoo et al, 2009;Soderstrom et al, 2002)-all key facilitators of substance use. In one study comparing children and adolescents ages 12-18 years with ASD versus psychiatric controls, Santosh and Mijovic (2006) found lower rates of drug and alcohol use and misuse in those with ASD (3% vs. 17%).…”

Diagnosing autism spectrum disorders in elderly people

“…• The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) profile of individuals with ASD show higher scores on depressive symptoms, discomfort in social situations, social reservation and introversion, shyness, and social anxiety (Ozonoff et al, 2005). • The Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) profile of individuals with ASD shows higher scores on harm avoidance and lower on self-directedness, cooperativeness, novelty seeking, and reward dependence (Sizoo et al, 2009).…”