The Heterogeneity of Personality among Alcoholics

Abstract

The purpose of the investigation was to discover whether multiple personality patterns could be derived from selected personality dimensions among a large sample of alcoholics. Subjects were 302 males hospitalized for a chronic drinking problem. The following six personality dimensions served as the independent variables: socialization, motoric expressiveness, ideational expressiveness, social introversion, bodily concern, and suspicion and mistrust. Utilizing the OTYPE computer program, 11 types or score patterns were derived across the six dimensions. Each of the types was found to be highly homogeneous and capable of differential predictions in relation to a host of psychological and social variables. These significant relationships then served as definitional characteristics of the types. Implications are discussed in relation to aetiology and treatment.