Impulsivity in Hong Kong-Chinese club-drug users

Drug Alcohol Depend. 2008 May 1;95(1-2):81-9. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2007.12.009. Epub 2008 Feb 1.

Abstract

To investigate the relationship between personality, club-drug use and high-risk drug-related behaviour, 360 club-drug users and 303 non-drug users in Hong Kong were assessed on measures of two impulsivity dimensions, reward drive and rash impulsivity, and a related trait of punishment sensitivity. The most frequently used drugs were ketamine, ecstasy, and cannabis, with the majority of participants using two or more drugs on any one occasion. Club-drug users were more rash-impulsive and reward-driven, and less punishment-sensitive than non-drug users (p<0.001). Rash impulsivity, but not reward drive or punishment sensitivity, was significantly (p<0.001) associated with risky drug-related behaviour. There was no association between any personality traits and preferred drug. These findings suggest that, while those who use club drugs are generally more impulsive and less punishment-sensitive, some discrete facets of impulsivity are associated with differing patterns of drug-use behaviour.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Amphetamine-Related Disorders / ethnology
  • Amphetamine-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Asian People / psychology*
  • Cross-Cultural Comparison
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Drive
  • Exploratory Behavior
  • Female
  • Hong Kong
  • Humans
  • Illicit Drugs*
  • Impulsive Behavior / ethnology*
  • Impulsive Behavior / psychology
  • Ketamine
  • Male
  • Marijuana Abuse / ethnology
  • Marijuana Abuse / psychology
  • Methamphetamine
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychometrics / statistics & numerical data
  • Punishment
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Reward
  • Social Environment*
  • Social Facilitation*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / ethnology*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology

Substances

  • Illicit Drugs
  • Methamphetamine
  • Ketamine
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine