TEMPERAMENT AND SUBSTANCE-ABUSE IN SCHIZOPHRENIA - IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP

The influence of temperament on substance abuse in schizophrenia is po orly understood, whereas it is known to play an important role in othe r clinical populations. In a sample of 28 male schizophrenics, Cloning er's dimensions of temperament were measured with the use of the Tridi mensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ). Levels of four commonly use d substances were recorded. There was a significant correlation betwee n the novelty-seeking dimension and past use of alcohol, cannabis, and caffeine and current use of caffeine and nicotine. There was no relat ionship between substance use and clinical symptoms or demographic var iables. The possible implications of abnormal mean TPQ scores in the s ample as well as a weak correlation between symptom patterns and TPQ s cores are discussed. The findings suggest that novelty-seeking type be haviors contribute to substance use in schizophrenia.