Which psychological and socio-demographic dimensions predict amphetamine abuse?

Abstract

IntroductionAmphetamine abuse has become a serious health concern worldwide, and this holds also true for Iran.AimsInvestigating psychological and socio-demographic dimensions to predict amphetamine-abuse.MethodsHundred amphetamine abusers and 100 healthy controls took part in this cross-sectional study. Participants completed questionnaires covering socio-demographic and psychological dimensions.ResultsCompared to healthy controls, amphetamine abusers reported more insecure and ambivalent attachment styles, higher novelty-seeking and risky behaviour, less current social support and stable relationships, and lower emotional competencies. No differences were found for socio-demographic dimensions.ConclusionsResults from this cross-sectional study underscore that amphetamine abuse was related to poor social relationships, poor emotional competencies and higher risky behaviour. The cross-sectional nature of the study, however, does preclude any conclusions about the causal direction of amphetamine abuse and poor interactional behavior.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.