Personality, Psychopathology and Emotional Regulation: Determinants of Addictive Behaviours - Research Proposal Example

Personality, Psychopathology and Emotional Regulation: Determinants of Addictive Behaviours Chapter Introduction The issue of addictive behaviors has proved to one of the most complicated and hard-to-solve problems the humanity faces. It is both broad and open ended; even when narrowing the focus down to substance abuse and misuse of alcohol on particular, the subject still remains vast. In spite of the massive body of knowledge that has been gathered on the topic of addiction (both psychological and physical), addictive behaviors are, even still, a broad and misunderstood area of research, with a great many aspects of the topic still unexplored, and many specific areas becoming the primary focus of research while others remaining largely overlooked. Addiction has many faces being reflected in numerous types of addictive behaviors with chemicals abuse (heroin, alcohol etc.), gambling, sex, shopping, work addiction, eating disorders and others (Engs, 1987). In point of fact, all individuals have a certain level of risk for addiction, though little information regarding the specifics of these risks has yet to be compiled or even identified. It is to that end that this study has been designed and an investigation of addiction and its impact on human personality, psychopathology, and emotional regulation, and how these elements determine addictive behaviors. In order to better understand the full study being completed, a brief look at the background of the subject, the associated theories, and the history of the matter at hand will be undertaken, followed by a clear explanation of the rationale behind the study and hypotheses that have been generated in regards to the study will be presented. In so doing, the subject matter at hand will be made clear, allowing for a understanding of the paradigm used in understanding not only what the outcome of various types of addiction is, but also allowing for a gain in the understanding of the decision making that must be utilized in order to identify associated risks for specific individuals. Without knowledge of the risk levels to specific individuals, it is impossible to clearly identify the specific interventions that are necessary should the individuals succumb to addiction – either substance abuse or another kind of it - within their own lives. Background Etiology and influential factors responsible for development of addictive disorders have been argued with numerous theories being developed – the researchers find it hard to reach consensus on the factors that cause and enhance the risk of addictive behaviors and substance abuse in particular (Engs, 1987). When looking at the misuse or abuse of any substance, there have been several different aspects identified as influential in increasing the person’s individual level of risk, relating either to the personal associated characteristics of the individual or the exogenous cultural factors and processes associated with the lifestyle of the individual (Bahrke, 2012). In many instances, the risk levels for alcohol abuse or any other type of addictive behavior for the specific individual, regardless of age or gender, have been found to be greater as a result of increased stress levels; certain attitudes, such as a win at all costs, or a win no matter what the cost attitude; an increased drive towards the accomplishment of a given goal or task; the necessity to escape from reality as a result of stressful life, work and communication conditions; increased levels of hostility; high body images; those of either extremely high levels of intelligence or extremely low levels of intelligence; individuals with known psychological issues or mental illnesses; those who have experienced addiction issues in the past; and those with poor familial settings or familial settings inconsistent with the image of the nuclear family (Bahrke, 2012; Walters, 2014; Sharma & Lal, 2011; Flory et al., 2009; Modric, Zenic, & Sekulic, 2011; Garland, Pettus-Davis, & Howard, 2013; Cooper, et al., 2014; To, et al., 2014; Sariaslan, et al., 2013; Sekulic, et al., 2014; Sekulic, et al., 2014; Cavar, Sekulic & Culjak, 2012; Hemphaolao & Hodgins, 2014). The combination of these, and other, personal risk factors and associated cultural factors works to affect all individuals differently, especially when combined with various socioeconomic factors such as level of education, type of job, income, location of residence, etc., setting a personal risk level for each specific individual. In spite of the differences associated with this given potentiality for addiction, abuse or misuse that is held by each individual, the broad components themselves may be reviewed, offering a manner of measuring specific aspects of a person’s life that may be quantified for the purposes of risk identification. This quantification of associated risk factors may assist not only in the identification of likelihood for addictive behaviors, but may assist in the determination of the effects of various types of addictions on the personality degeneration of the individual, the psychopathology or the individual, and their associated emotional regulation deficits. Theories There are many different theories that may be utilized as a means of working to gain a better understanding of the overall and associated means of risk identification in the individual, or that may be utilized in working to quantify the different risks of addictive behaviors in the individual and their impact on the personality. These theories have to do with the determination of an individual’s specific personality, the psychopathology of the individual, and the emotional regulation and deregulation of the individual; when utilized individually they simply provide insight into the basic characteristics of the individual at hand, but when combined, these theories can serve as a base sounding board for the identification of associated risk factors in the individual themselves. This is especially true when taking into account the conceptualization that all individuals are driven by similar base characteristics in their addictions and in recognizing that each individual has their own associated risk levels for succumbing to a certain type of addiction (either psychological or physical). L.L. Thurstone was one of the first individuals to identify the five different base personality characteristics that may be utilized to offer up a “conversational description” of a person (Goldberg, 1990, p. 1216). Though there were originally over 18,000 different stable characteristics identified as a means of describing an individual, these were categorized, charted, and correlated to such a degree that they could be shrunk to a base five, identifying the primary common denominators that could be utilized as a means of personality description; these “big five” are still utilized in personality description today (Goldberg, 1990, p. 1216). Neuroticism vs. anxiety, aggression vs. social desirability, impulsive sensation seeking, sociability, and activity are the five big traits, all of which may be measured in the individual through the use of the ZKPQ, or Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire, giving the researcher a clear idea of what characteristics the individual leans primarily toward and, in conjunction with reports on the individual’s behaviors and habits (e.g. alcohol habits or eating behaviors), can offer up a means of comparison to the personal associated risk factor and the different ways in which the individual is affected (Zuckerman, 2002). An alternative to the five factor model is the use of dimensions of personal pathology, offering a clearer DSM-IV classification of personality disorders and personalities themselves than is afforded through the application of the five factor model previously described (Shelder & Westen, 2004). The personal pathology of the individual may be determined through the utilization of the SWAP-200, or Shelder-Westen Assessment Procedure, a 200 question questionnaire designed to translate the personality of the individual into quantifiable data (Shelder & Westen, 2004). In working to combine the two different methodologies that work to take the theory of personality and make it more concrete, it is possible to capture the complexity of personality syndromes without omitting clinical constructs, providing a means of working to ensure that the individual’s full risk assessment profile may be generated (Shelder & Westen, 2004; Zuckerman, 2002). These, in combination with the cognitive behavioral theories associated with emotional regulation and deregulation, work to provide the foundation for the creation of the individual risk level assessments for the individual. The concept of emotional deregulation is applied to individuals who are unable to maintain the appropriate emotion acceptance strategies, who are unable to stay in control of their emotions, or those who are experiencing behavioral issues associated with the inability to control or regulate their emotional reactions (Patterson, 2013). In fact, different types of addictive behaviors are considered to be the symptoms of emotional deregulations (Macklem, 2008). Without these different associated theories it would be impossible to create the individual scale of risk associated with each individual and therefore would be impossible to effectively quantify their associated degeneration of personality, psychopathology, or emotional regulation that may arise as a result of addiction (e.g. substance abuse). These different theories assist not only in the creation of the risk level of the individual but serve as a means to quantify the associated degeneration that arises as a result of the addictive behavior itself, providing both the control and the measurement of the loss of control for the subjects themselves. History Addiction – regardless of its kind – roots back in childhood and nurture peculiarities as it is stated in psychoanalysis. It can be harmless at the beginning and becomes more dangerous with the continuous repetition of certain behavior patterns that gradually turn into addictive behaviors that tend to overtake control over an individual. For instance, it has been widely accepted that “moderate alcohol use is normal,” but it has not been until relatively recent history that doctors and researchers have identified excessive alcohol consumption as a negative, one associated with various ill health effects and other associated problems (Alcohol Abuse and Dependence, 2014). Though there is not a clear record of the first organization to start investigating the question of alcohol abuse and misuse, there are organizations that have been devoted to the study thereof since the 1950s, with concerns spreading back well before the implementation of prohibition within the United States (Mitchell Shelton, 2014; Alcohol Research Group, 2014). The term ‘addiction’ in its wider meaning was initially associated with pharmacology referring to the normal dose of medicine necessary to avoid abstinence symptoms. However, the focus has shifted to define the wider set of psychopathological behaviors. In spite of these concerns and considerations, there has yet to be a study that looks at how males and females are affected by addictions and particularly alcohol misuse, though perhaps the closest was the study published in 2002 by George E. Vaillant, started in 1940 and following 724 males, 268 of which were Harvard students, the remaining 456 were not, and tracking their alcoholic use and abuse throughout the next sixty years, or until the death of the subjects, whichever came first. While the study itself worked to identify some of the associated effects on males, it was not concerned with the same specifics and was not concerned with both genders, as this study is. Rationale The rationalization behind this study is simple. The vast majority of studies that are completed regarding addictive behaviors and particularly substance abuse do not concern themselves with the specifics of the individual, looking instead to specific and clear generalizations. One study may show that high performance athletes who have completed college are less likely than those high performance athletes who have not completed college to abuse or misuse such substances; another study may argue that homeless children have a greater likelihood of consuming and abusing alcohol than those who have stable home environments; while these studies would offer up a basic, and what some might argue as obvious, truth regarding the misuse of alcohol, they fail to look at the larger picture associated with alcohol misuse and its effects. The study that has been designed has been created for the specific purpose of looking at the totality of the effects of substance misuse on the personality of the individual, based on their associated personal level of risk for misuse and their initial personality traits. In so doing, it will be possible to not only generate one of the only studies to look at both the effects of addiction on males and females, but to look at potential associated symptomologies and their similarities for the purposes of working to identify the most effective means of intervention and the associated effects that the misuse may have on each of the different personality types presented by the individuals in the study itself. Hypotheses The following hypotheses have been identified for the completion of this study: It is hypothesized that males and females will experience similar effects to substance misuse, arguing for variances in body weight, consumption volumes, and other physiological factors. It is hypothesized that the effects that present in both males and females will be similar based on the associated personality aspects identified as a result of the psychological tests undergone. I.e. those with similar personality profiles will experience similar effects. It is hypothesized that the sociocultural effects will factor in more strongly than the personality aspects in terms of the severity of the effects on personality degeneration, psychopathology, and emotional regulation deficits associated with addictive behaviors such as substance abuse. It is hypothesized that it will not be possible to fully determine whether the personality degenerations are as a result of stressors in the lives of the individuals or substance abuse, though it is anticipated that the inclusion of substance misuse in the mix will factor strongly on these degenerations as a result of past research into substance abuse, addictive behaviors and their effects on the human mind. It is hypothesized that substance misuse will not have a clearly definable volume or total percentage on a per diem basis, but will instead have a gradual explanation in terms of frequency as associated with intoxication levels as defined by the state. It is hypothesized that those with greater levels of emotional regulation deficits will have increased effects in the other two areas as well, while those who are more emotionally regulated will have decreased effects or lessened effects in the other two associated areas. It is hypothesized that all individuals, regardless of personality, socioeconomic factors, or cultural influences, all have some level of risk for various types of addiction. It is hypothesized that based on the psychometrics that we used with the participants, maybe we will discover other types of addictions that affect a person behavior and require to be studied. Summary Substance abuse and misuse as well as addiction in general are a highly popular subject, though they are often lopsided in its practices of research. Though there has been a vast amount of knowledge amassed on the subject, it is clear that there is still much to be done and much to be learned within this field of inquiry. This study has been designed for the purposes of working to increase the body of knowledge associated with this matter while working at the same time to decrease some of the gaps currently present. It is hoped that, through looking at individuals of both genders through the lens of personality and psychology that it will be possible to gain clearer insight into the different associated concerns regarding not only substance abuse and addictive behaviors in general, and alcohol abuse and misuse in particular. In order to better understand the full study being completed, a brief look at the background of the subject, the associated theories, and the history of the matter was provided, followed by a clear explanation of the rationale behind the study and hypotheses that have been generated to be tested within the study itself. In so doing, the subject matter at hand has been made clear, allowing for a understanding of the paradigm used in understanding not only what the outcome of alcohol misuse is, but also allowing for a gain in the understanding of the decision making that must be utilized in order to identify associated risks for specific individuals. The following chapter will present a more in depth review of the methodology that will be used, working to clearly convey the entirety of the issue. Chapter 2: Research Methodology The purpose of this study is to investigate different types of addiction including substance misuse and its effects on gradual personality degeneration, psychopathology, and emotional regulation deficits among males and females. The fact of the matter is that substance misuse is, even still, a broad and often misunderstood area of research, with many different avenues of research as yet unexplored, and many areas focused on unduly with other areas being overlooked completely. As such, though it is understood, to a degree, that all individuals are at a level of risk for addiction of various origins and substance abuse, little information regarding the specifics of these risks has yet to be compiled, and much still must be done in order to identify the more specific aspects associated with the risks of such addictions on an individual basis. In order to better understand this area of influence, a study must have a specifically designed approach for identifying the associated matter in question. This method of answering questions associated with a given practice or problem is referred to the methodology (Dawson, 2002). The methodology seeks to find answers associated with the study questions that have been generated for the purposes of answering and identifying the questions associated with the study itself. While there are a variety of different research methods available for the completion of a study, it is always necessary to work to identify the most appropriate method for a given study question in and of itself, allowing for the clearest method of gathering the information accurately and without bias. The four purposes that are set forth for this chapter are: (1) to provide a description of the research methodology that will be utilized for the completion of the study, (2) to explain the sample selection process being utilized for the completion of the study, (3) to identify and describe the process being utilized in the questionnaire design and collection of data, and (4) to provide a clear explanation of the process utilized for data analysis in order for the researcher to obtain the results of the gathered data. References: Arg.org. (2014). Alcohol Research Group: About Us: History. Retrieved 3 July 2014, from http://arg.org/about_us/history.php Bahrke, M. S. (2012). Performance-Enhancing Substance Misuse in Sport: Risk Factors and Considerations for Success and Failure in Intervention Programs. Substance Use & Misuse, 47(13/14), 1505-1516. Cavar, M., Sekulic, D., & Culjak, Z. (2012). Complex Interaction of Religiousness with other Factors in Relation to Substance Use and Misuse Among Female Athletes. Journal Of Religion & Health, 51(2), 381-389. doi:10.1007/s10943-010-9360-9 Cooper, H., Clark, C., Barham, T., Embry, V., Caruso, B., & Comfort, M. (2014). He Was the Story of My Drug Use Life: A Longitudinal Qualitative Study of the Impact of Partner Incarceration on Substance Misuse Patterns Among African American Women. Substance Use & Misuse, 49(1/2), 176-188. doi:10.3109/10826084.2013.824474 Engs, R.C. Alcohol and Other Drugs: Self Responsibility, Tichenor Publishing Company, Bloomington, IN, 1987. Flory, K., Hankin, B. L., Kloos, B., Cheely, C., & Turecki, G. (2009). Alcohol and Cigarette Use and Misuse Among Hurricane Katrina Survivors: Psychosocial Risk and Protective Factors. Substance Use & Misuse, 44(12), 1711-1724. Garland, E., Pettus-Davis, C., & Howard, M. (2013). Self-medication among traumatized youth: structural equation modeling of pathways between trauma history, substance misuse, and psychological distress. Journal Of Behavioral Medicine, 36(2), 175-185. doi:10.1007/s10865-012-9413-5 Goldberg, L. (1990). An alternative" description of personality": the big-five factor structure. Journal Of Personality And Social Psychology, 59(6), 1216. Retrieved from http://projects.ori.org/lrg/PDFs_papers/Goldberg.Big-Five-FactorsStructure.JPSP.1990.pdf Hemphälä, M., & Hodgins, S. (2014). Do Psychopathic Traits Assessed in Mid-Adolescence Predict Mental Health, Psychosocial, and Antisocial, Including Criminal Outcomes, Over the Subsequent 5 Years?. Canadian Journal Of Psychiatry, 59(1), 40-49. Macklem, G.L. (2008). Practitioners Guide to Emotion regulation in School – Aged Children. NY: Springer. Mitchell Shelton, T. (2014). Temperance & Prohibition. Ohio State University. Retrieved 3 July 2014, from https://prohibition.osu.edu/why-prohibition Modric, T., Zenic, N., & Sekulic, D. (2011). Substance Use and Misuse Among 17- to 18-Year-Old Croatian Adolescents: Correlation with Scholastic Variables and Sport Factors. Substance Use & Misuse, 46(10), 1328-1334. Patterson, J. (2013). Emotion Regulation: Evidence-Based Techniques for Difficult Clients. Pesi.com. Retrieved 3 July 2014, from http://www.pesi.com/ECommerce/ItemDetails.aspx?ResourceCode=RNV045970 Sariaslan, A., Långström, N., D’Onofrio, B., Hallqvist, J., Franck, J., & Lichtenstein, P. (2013). The impact of neighbourhood deprivation on adolescent violent criminality and substance misuse: A longitudinal, quasi-experimental study of the total Swedish population. International Journal Of Epidemiology, 42(4), 1057-1066. Sekulic, D., Bjelanovic, L., Pehar, M., Pelivan, K., & Zenic, N. (2014). Substance Use and Misuse and Potential Doping Behaviour in Rugby Union Players. Research In Sports Medicine, 22(3), 226-239. Sekulic, D., Milanovic, I., Bok, D., Jukic, I., & Matika, D. (2014). Substance use and misuse in the Croatian Army Special Forces: prevalence and influencing factors. International Journal Of Occupational Medicine & Environmental Health, 27(1), 123-131. doi:10.2478/s13382-014-0241-4 Sharma, S., & Lal, R. (2011). Volatile Substance Misuse Among Street Children in India: A Preliminary Report. Substance Use & Misuse, 4646-49. Shedler, J., & Westen, D. (2004). Dimensions of personality pathology: an alternative to the five-factor model. American Journal Of Psychiatry, 161(10), 1743--1754. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15465966 To, W., Neirynck, S., Vanderplasschen, W., Vanheule, S., & Vandevelde, S. (2014). Substance use and misuse in persons with intellectual disabilities (ID): Results of a survey in ID and addiction services in Flanders. Research In Developmental Disabilities, 35(1), 1-9. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2013.10.015 Vaillant, G. (2002). A 60-year follow-up of alcoholic men. Addiction, 98(8), 1043--1051. Retrieved from http://www.massgeneral.org/psychiatry/assets/published_papers/vaillant-2003-addiction.pdf Walters, G. D. (2014). Crime and Substance Misuse in Adjudicated Delinquent Youth: The Worst of Both Worlds. Law & Human Behavior (American Psychological Association), 38(2), 139-150. doi:10.1037/lhb0000050 Wright University. (2014). Alcohol Abuse and Dependence. Retrieved 3 July 2014, from http://www.wright.edu/rsp/Security/Eap/Alcohol.htm Zuckerman, M. (2002). Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ): An Alternative Five-factorial model. Retrieved 3 July 2014, from http://grupsderecerca.uab.cat/zkpq/sites/grupsderecerca.uab.cat.zkpq/files/zkpq7.pdf Read More