Volume 34, Issue 6 p. 1109-1119
Special Issue Article

The Network Constellation of Personality and Substance Use: Evolution from Early to Late Adolescence

Mohammad H. Afzali

Corresponding Author

Mohammad H. Afzali

Psychiatry, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Correspondence to: Mohammad H Afzali, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Psychiatry, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5 Canada.

E-mail: k.afzali@gmail.com

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Sherry Heather Stewart

Sherry Heather Stewart

Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

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Jean R. Séguin

Jean R. Séguin

Psychiatry, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

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Patricia Conrod

Patricia Conrod

Psychiatry, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

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First published: 20 March 2020
Citations: 2

Abstract

There is a well-established link between substance use and four personality traits of anxiety–sensitivity, hopelessness, impulsivity, and sensation-seeking. However, construct-level models of personality may conceal indicator-level personality–outcome associations. The current study aims to investigate evolution of the network constellation of personality and cannabis/alcohol use from early to late adolescence. Data comes from the longitudinal Co-Venture cohort (N = 3800). Personality indicators, measured by Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS) items, and the frequency of cannabis/alcohol use were assessed at four consecutive years (13–17 years old). Network constellations of the SURPS items and cannabis/alcohol use were estimated using Bayesian Gaussian graphical models at four time points. Results highlighted the age-specific associations between personality indicators and substance use. The positive role of the sensation-seeking trait (e.g. attitude towards transgression) was constant, whereas the positive role of hopelessness indicators (e.g. not being enthusiastic about future) and the negative role of anxiety–sensitivity indicators (e.g. fear of having unusual body sensations) were more prominent at early adolescence. The current study provides a novel perspective on the network structure of personality and substance use in adolescence and suggests substance-specific and age-adjusted targets in intervention efforts. © 2020 European Association of Personality Psychology

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