Psychological Correlates of Substance Abuse in Non-psychiatric and Psychiatric Populations

Background: Personality and other psychological variables have been suggested to be closely related to drug abuse. An understanding of such relationship could be beneficial in the management of patients with substance abuse. Aim: The study investigated psychological correlates of substance abuse psychiatric patients. Method: One hundred and six (106) psychiatric patients from Uyo prisons and psychiatric hospital in Eket and 110 non-psychiatric others from Eket and Uyo served as participants. The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (Neuroticism and Psychoticism scales) and the Psychological Correlates of Substance Abuse Index developed by the researchers were used in the study. Three hypotheses were tested. A survey and correlational design was adopted, while the Chi- Square was used for significance testing in statistical analysis. Result: Findings in the comparison of opposite populations indicate a statistically significant difference between psychiatric and nonpsychiatric patients on substance abuse in relation to psychological factors (X2 27.23, df = 1, P<0.001). Also, the hypothesis predicting a statistically significant difference on substance abuse between the high and low neuroticism groups was found to be significant (X2 = 6.66, df= 1, P<0.01). However, the hypothesis on the influence of psychoticism on substance abuse was not supported as there was no statistically significant difference between the low and high psychoticism groups on substance abuse. Conclusion: It is recommended that there should always be proper screening of patients on personality and behavioural traits before admission or placement in public institutions in the same way that governments and families should help to restrict the use of psychoactive substances. The paper concluded that there should be a coordinated legislation against drug use and abuse.