On the relationship between substance use and personality traits: Abstainers are not maladjusted

Two studies were conducted to test the relationship between substance use and personality, Participants in Study 1 (N = 118) completed measures of the Big Five and additional personality inventories and were classified as alcohol and drug abstainers, moderate users, or heavy users based on self-reports of substance use. In Study 2, observer ratings of personality (N = 172) were gathered in addition to self-reports (N = 545). Across both studies and self and observer ratings, heavy users consistently scored lower than the other groups on measures of conscientiousness, impulse control, and agreeableness. Abstainers scored lower than moderate and heavy users on extraversion. Contrary to some previous research (e.g., Shedler & Block, 1990), moderate users were not more emotionally stable than abstainers. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.