It has been hypothesized that personality of alcoholics is different in some way from that of individuals who are not alcoholic. The Cloninger’s biosocial theory of personality was an original contribution as it described two types of personality (Type I/Type II) associated with alcoholism. A number of studies investigated this model and the personality dimensions described by his bio-social theory, particularly novelty seeking (NS) and harm avoidance (HA), in alcoholic patients. The aim of the present paper was to summarize results coming from the experimental studies that so far addressed this model in alcoholism. A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE and references of selected articles. The Type I/Type II model received some confirmation: studies consistently reported NS mostly associated with alcohol abuse in young alcoholics with antisocial traits and an early onset, while HA was associated with alcohol problems mainly in subjects with anxious-depressive symptoms. In conclusion, different personalities may lead to alcohol abuse: not only antisocial types, but also anxious-depressed types. Thus there is no alcoholic personality; at most, alcoholism shares with other psychopathology a higher proportion of individuals with antisocial behaviour and/or proneness to negative emotionality.
The Cloninger’s model of personality in Alcoholism: a brief review of experimental studies.
MANDELLI, LAURA
2006
Abstract
It has been hypothesized that personality of alcoholics is different in some way from that of individuals who are not alcoholic. The Cloninger’s biosocial theory of personality was an original contribution as it described two types of personality (Type I/Type II) associated with alcoholism. A number of studies investigated this model and the personality dimensions described by his bio-social theory, particularly novelty seeking (NS) and harm avoidance (HA), in alcoholic patients. The aim of the present paper was to summarize results coming from the experimental studies that so far addressed this model in alcoholism. A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE and references of selected articles. The Type I/Type II model received some confirmation: studies consistently reported NS mostly associated with alcohol abuse in young alcoholics with antisocial traits and an early onset, while HA was associated with alcohol problems mainly in subjects with anxious-depressive symptoms. In conclusion, different personalities may lead to alcohol abuse: not only antisocial types, but also anxious-depressed types. Thus there is no alcoholic personality; at most, alcoholism shares with other psychopathology a higher proportion of individuals with antisocial behaviour and/or proneness to negative emotionality.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
