Personality characteristics of female narcotic addicts.

Abstract

This study compared the personality characteristics, as measured by the Adjective Check List, of 84 institutionalized female narcotic addicts with 176 normal females. The addicts checked more adjectives and described themselves as being less defensive, self-controlled, personally adjusted, need-achieving, dominant, enduring, orderly, nurturant, and deferent and more unfavorable, labile, heterosexual, exhibitionistic, autonomous, aggressive, succorant, and attracted to novel experiences. Collectively, the results indicate the female addict engages in immature social interactions. Suggestions for further research involved, among other issues, a therapeutic approach aimed at the development of meaningful interpersonal relationships.