Personality traits differentiate Pakistani males in recovery versus relapse from substance use disorders

Abstract

There a dearth of research on factors related to treatment success in Pakistan. This study investigated the role of personality factors in recovery or relapse from substance use disorders in order to inform, and perhaps modify, treatment methods. Adult Pakistani males (N = 300; Mage = 30.34, SD = 9.93) were recruited from treatment facilities and recovery support groups in Karachi, Pakistan with 150 participants in the recovery and relapse groups, respectively. Logistic regression analyses controlling for age, socioeconomic status, education, family history of substance abuse, and family structure revealed that neuroticism and conscientiousness discriminated between the recovery and relapse groups. The relapse group scored higher on neuroticism and the recovery group scored higher on conscientiousness. Neither personality factor interacted with family history of substance abuse to predict recovery versus relapse status. Given recent data indicating personality traits are malleable, this understanding of the role of personality traits may help treatment professionals to improve existing services and prevent relapse.