Personality traits and illicit substances: The moderating role of poverty

Abstract

Background Illicit substances increase risk of morbidity and mortality and have significant consequences for society. Personality traits are associated with drug use; we test whether these associations vary by socioeconomic status. Method Participants (N=412) from the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study completed the Revised NEO Personality Inventory and self-reported use of opiates and cocaine. 50% of participants were living below 125% of the federal poverty line. Mean-level personality differences across never, former, and current opiate/cocaine users were compared. Logistic regressions compared never versus current users and interactions between personality traits and poverty status tested whether these associations varied by socioeconomic status. Results High Neuroticism and low Agreeableness increased risk of drug use. The association between low Conscientiousness and drug use was moderated by poverty, such that low Conscientiousness was a stronger risk factor for illicit substance use among those with relatively higher SES: For every standard deviation decrease in Conscientiousness, there was a greater than 2-fold increase in risk of illicit substance use (OR=2.15, 95% CI=1.45–3.17). Conscientiousness was unrelated to drug use among participants living below 125% of the federal poverty line. Conclusions Under favorable economic conditions, the tendency to be organized, disciplined, and deliberate is protective against drug use. These tendencies, however, matter less when financial resources are scarce. In contrast, those prone to emotional distress and antagonism are at greater risk for current drug use, regardless of their economic situation.

The Five Factor Model of Personality and Evaluation of Drug Consumption Risk

“…Our study demonstrates strong correlations between personality profiles and the risk of drug use. This result supports observations from some previous [3,[12][13][14][16][17][18][19]. Individuals involved in drug use are more likely to have higher scores for N, and low scores for A and C .…”

“…Flory et al [14] found alcohol use to be associated with lower A and C, and higher E. They found also that lower A and C, and higher O are associated with marijuana use. Sutina et al [3] demonstrated that the relationship between low C and drug consumption is moderated by poverty; low C is a stronger risk factor for illicit drug usage among those with relatively higher socioeconomic status. They found that high N, and low A and C are associated with higher risk of drug use (including cocaine, crack, morphine, codeine, and heroin).…”

Trait Emotional Intelligence Profiles of Parents With Drug Addiction and of Their Offspring

“…However, Brooner et al (2002) noted that when potentially confounding factors like mental disorders were controlled for, the personality traits most robustly differentiating people with opioid addiction from non-addicted peers were Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, and Excitement-seeking. In addition, Sutin et al (2013) examined the role of poverty in the relationships between personality traits and drugs. They concluded that high neuroticism and low agreeableness were related to drug use regardless of poverty status.…”

Personality Traits and Identity Styles in Methamphetamine-Dependent Women: A Comparative Study

“…Several studies have also successfully established a positive correlation between personality traits and the use of certain substances ( Anderson, Tapert, Moadab, Crowley, & Brown, 2007 ; Grekin, Sher, & Wood, 2006 ; Kornor & Nordvik, 2007 ; Prisciandaro, McRae-Clark, Moran-Santa Maria, Hartwell, & Brady, 2011 ; Terracciano, Lockenhoff, Crum, Bienvenu, & Costa, 2008 ). Individuals with high Neuroticism with negative emotions and low Agreeableness, and those who are undisciplined and disorganized (low Conscientiousness) are more likely to use substance than those who have opposite of these traits ( Sutin, Evans, & Zonderman, 2013 ).…”