The Study Of The Personality Characteristics And Mental Health Status In The Amphetamine-type Stimulants Abusers

Objective:To investigate the acute harm of amphetamine-type stimulants(ATS),the personality characteristics and mental health status of ATS abusers.Methods:140 ATS abusers in Yunnan Xishuangbanna Addiction Treatment Centers were investigated by self-compiled ATS abusing questionnaire,Eysenck Personality Questionnaire(EPQ)and symptom checklist 90(SCL-90).ATS abusing status and the personality characteristics were analyzed by descriptive statistical analysis.The SCL-90 results was compared with china norm.The SCL-90's date for the different type of ATS abusers had comparative analysis.Statistic analysis was done using the spss 11.5,including t-test,variance analysis,Pearson correlation.Results:1.The mean age of ATS abusers is 27.24±7.61,among of which teenagers is 22.9%; minority ethnics is 50.7%,Dai ethnic is 35.0%.34.3%of ATS abusers are peasant.2.The acute toxicity effect occurred involved Cardiovascular system, cerebrovascular system and digestive system,psychic system in ATS users.11 (7.9%)ATS abusers with excessive using of ATS had the experience of emergency medical treatment.20(14.3%)ATS abusers had ATS-related violent behaviors.It was found that 51(36.4%)ATS abusers had sexual impulses and 6(4.3%)ATS abusers had sex violent behaviors after used ATS.3.ATS abusers EPQ had high score of the P and E dimensionality,middle score of the N and L dimensionality.P and E dimensionality of more than 43.3 score was 92.9%and 91.4%respectively,among of above 56.7 score was 56.4%and 55.7% respectively;N dimensionality of more than 43.3 score was 74.3%,among of above 56.7 score was 30%;L dimensionality of more than 43.3 score was 79.3%, among of above 56.7 score was 30%.4.SCL-90 results showed that Obsession,depression,anxiety,hostility and psychoticism were significantly higher in ATS abusers than china norm, especially depression and anxiety.There were no statistical significances in different demographic characteristics of the ATS abusers except different ethnic. There were statistical significances of different using conditions regarding dosage, duration and whether polydrug use exists or not.5.All factors of SCL-90 in ATS-abusers were significantly positively correlated to N and P dimensionality of EPQ,however,negatively correlated to L dimensionality. All factors of SCL-90 in ATS abusers were no correlation to E dimensionality.Conclusions:1.Some teenagers are ATS abusers and they should be paid much attention.2.ATS use has not only acute toxicity effects in physical and neuropsychic system, but also may lead to violent behaviors.Because increasing high-risk sexual behavior in ATS users,it may be play a key role in prevalence of the AIDS virus (HIV)and other sexually transmitted diseases.3.ATS abusers have some particular personality characteristics,such as selfish, impulsive,seeking high-intensity sensory stimulation,adventurous,and they may be more vulnerable to abuse ATS in the influence of social environmental factors.4.Overall,the mental health of ATS abusers is poorer than normal people.It is different in ATS abusers' mental health under different using conditions regarding ethnic groups,dosage,duration and whether polydrug use exist or not.5.Personality characteristics of ATS abusers are closely relevant to mental health.It should be paid much attention in mental health of ATS abusers with Emotional instability and psychiatric tendency.