CHRONOTYPE AND PERSONALITY-FACTORS IN THE DAILY CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL AND PSYCHOSTIMULANTS

This paper analyses the influence of and possible interaction between chronotype (Morning-types, Neither-types and Evening-types) and person ality dimensions (neuroticism, extroversion and psychoticism) in the d aily consumption of alcohol and psychostimulants (nicotine and caffein e). In a sample of 537 subjects (257 men and 280 women), who were stud ents and professionals with different but fixed work schedules, there were significant differences among the chronotypes regarding the consu mption of all the above. Evening-types consumed more alcohol, nicotine and caffeine (coffee and cola), while Morning-types consumed more caf feine from tea. Personality was only related to the consumption of col a: the greater the neuroticism the higher the consumption of this beve rage. Stimulant drinks showed various types of interaction with person ality types, which revealed a complex pattern of group action. The res ults stress the need to consider chronotype as a contributory psycholo gical factor in a multi-causal model of consumption of psychoactive su bstances.