The role of birth order in substance related disorders

Abstract

This study was guided by two objectives. The first objective was to investigate which of the ordinal birth orders (one's chronological position with in their family of origin) was over represented within patients receiving treatment for addiction at a drugs rehabilitation centre. The second objective was to investigate whether psychological birth order (a person's perception of their ordinal birth order) was more prevalent in relation to substance related disorders. 28 male participants admitted in a rehabilitation centre were recruited for the study. Their age ranged from 18-50 years of age. The Psychological Birth Order Inventory (PBOI) by Campbell, White & Stewart (1991) was used to collect information concerning the participant's psychological birth order whilst Eckstein's 1977 ordinal birth order assessment question was used to derive information concerning the participants' ordinal position. In reference to the first objective, it was found that the youngest child was more likely to have a substance related disorder 33.3%, followed by the first and middle child who were just as likely to develop the disorder 28.6 % and lastly, an only child with a frequency of 7.6%. In the second objective, it was found that majority of the participants rated themselves as psychological first borns with a frequency score of 51.9%.This was followed by ratings of the psychological middle child 22.2% and the psychological only (11.1%) The interpretations and implications of the results have been discussed.

Drug Addiction, Criminality and Birth Order

“…Besides, personality disorder, gender, and young age are strong predictors of criminal behaviour in substance abusers [9]. Anxiety is also considered as one of the factors that lead towards drugs, the youngest child is more inclined to use substances as a way of escaping such situations [10]. These all factors might be considered while devising the treatment plan.…”

Life Assets and Substance Use of High School Students in Songkhla

“…Our findings support that the demographic factors such as being an only child, belonging to two-parent households, and having a high GPA are statistically found to deter students from engaging in substance use. The studies in Kenya 19 , California 20 and Thailand [21][22][23][24] also suggest that students who are an only child, who belong to two-parent households, and who have a high academic performance may be less likely to use substances. Possible reasons may be the protection and attention they receive from one or both parents 19 , close parental monitoring 20 , their sound understanding of the negative consequences of substance use 24 , a good sense of competency, and a healthy level of self-control.…”