Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

5-2012

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Psychology

Major Professor

Michael R. Nash

Committee Members

David A. Patterson, Gregory L. Stuart, John Lounsbury

Abstract

According to E. J. Khantzian’s (2003) theory of Self-Medication, substance addiction functions as a compensatory means to modulate affects and self-soothe in response to distressing psychological states. Khantzian’s theory has two main components: 1) addictive drugs
become addicting because they have the power to alleviate, remove, or change (and in turn control) human psychological suffering, and 2) there is a considerable degree of specificity in a person’s choice of drugs, and individuals gravitate to a certain drug because of its psychological
and physiological effects (Khantzian & Albanese, 2008). This project tests the tenets of Khantzian’s (2003) Self-Medication theory in a treatment sample of addicts (N = 304), using content and supplementary scales of the MMPI-2, the PAI, and YSQ. Using an algorithm based on medical records, addicted individuals were reliably classified as being either addicted to a Depressant, Stimulant, or Opiate. Based on Self-Medication theory, I predicted the three groups would function in different ways across combinations of the following variables: Subjective Depression, Psychomotor Acceleration, Post-Traumatic Stress, Over-controlled Hostility, Cynicism, Aggression, Paranoia, Antisocial Tendencies, Emotional Inhibition, Insufficient-Self Control, and Ego Strength. I used MANOVAs to test three theory-driven hypotheses regarding drug group differences on the personality variables. The MANOVAs for hypothesis I (Depressant versus all other addicts) and hypothesis II (Opiate versus other) were statistically significant. The MANOVA for hypothesis III (stimulant versus other) was non-significant. Across the three hypotheses, there were 18 a priori Univariate predictions. Of these, 17 were in the predicted direction, nine were statistically significant. These multivariate and Univariate findings partially support the Self-Medication theory, particularly in its characterization of personality functioning of those addicted to Depressants and Opiates.

Download
Files over 3MB may be slow to open. For best results, right-click and select "save as..."

Share

COinS