The role of antisocial and borderline personality features in substance dependence among incarcerated females.

Full Abstract

This study examined the association of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) with substance dependence among incarcerated females (N=105) as well as the influence of the co-occurrence of BPD and ASPD on psychosocial functioning in substance-dependent participants. The severity of BPD and ASPD both were associated with drug dependence, but BPD was not associated with alcohol dependence. After controlling for ASPD severity, BPD severity was no longer associated with drug dependence. The ASPD features of criminal activity and recklessness were most uniquely associated with drug and alcohol dependence (respectively). None of the BPD features was uniquely associated with alcohol or drug dependence after controlling for ASPD. A co-occurring BPD diagnosis was associated with mood disturbance and experiential avoidance among substance-dependent participants. An ASPD diagnosis was associated with an earlier age at first arrest, along with greater childhood abuse and severity of alcohol dependence. These findings have important implications for further understanding and developing ways to help substance-dependent incarcerated females.

Author information

Author/s: Chapman, Alexander L (AL); Cellucci, Tony (T);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology (RCB 5246), Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6. alchapma(-atsign-)sfu.ca

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Addictive behaviors (Addict Behav), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Jun; vol 32 (issue 6) : pp 1131-45

Dates: Created 2007/04/02; Completed 2007/12/17;

PMID: 16962249, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

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