Is substance abuse in schizophrenia related to impulsivity, sensation seeking, or anhedonia?

Objective: The authors compared impulsivity, sensation seeking, and anhedon ia in a group of schizophrenic patients with and without lifetime substance abuse or dependence. Method: Patients (N=100) with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (pe r DSM-III-R criteria) were assessed with the Composite International Diagno stic Interview's section on psychoactive substance use disorder, the Positi ve and Negative Syndrome Scale, the Barratt Impulsivity Scale, the Zuckerma n Seeking Sensation Scale, and the Chapman Physical Anhedonia Scale. Results: The mean scares for impulsivity and sensation seeking were higher in the group with substance abuse (N=41) than in the group without substanc e abuse (N=59). No significant difference between groups was found regardin g physical anhedonia. Conclusions: As in the general population, high levels of impulsivity and s ensation seeking are associated with substance abuse in patients with schiz ophrenia.