Gierski F, et al. - This study was designed not only to compare temperament and character dimensions between young binge drinkers and age- and sex-matched social drinkers but also to examine the potential heterogeneity of personality patterns among binge drinking college students. This examination supported the subdivision of binge drinkers according to gender and personality dimensions. The findings suggested that male and female binge drinkers should not be considered a unitary group, but rather a population of individuals that comprises at least two distinct personality patterns. These discoveries have major implications for prevention and treatment approaches.

Methods

• The researchers carried out the study with 200 university students of 18–24 years of age, who were recruited via an invitation to take an alcohol use survey.
• These members involved 100 people (50 female and 50 male) with a binge drinking pattern, and 100 participants (50 female and 50 male) with a social drinking pattern.
• These subjects were assessed with regards to their use of alcohol and other substances, impulsiveness, sensation-seeking, mood, and Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory.

Results

• According to the findings obtained, between-group comparisons revealed that both male and female binge drinkers were characterized by high levels of novelty-seeking, and low levels of persistence and self-directedness.
• It was found that cluster analyses within the binge drinker group uncovered 2 distinct groups that differed between males and females.
• These groups shared similarities with Cloninger's type I (high harm-avoidance) and II (high novelty-seeking) alcoholism typology.