The Personality Factors Predictors in Substance Abuse Among Iranian College Students

Background A major issue to consider in high risk behaviors such as substance abuse is personality factors. Objectives This study aimed to determine the role of personality factors (anxiety sensitivity, sensation seeking, hopelessness, and impulsivity) in substance use, psychotropic drug use, smoking, and alcohol drinking in a sample of male medical students in Iran. Patients and Methods In this cross-sectional study, conducted in Isfahan and Kermanshah Medical Universities in Iran, a total of 425 male medical students were randomly selected with the proportional to size from different faculties to participate voluntarily in the study. A self-report written questionnaire was applied to collect data. Then, the obtained data were analyzed by SPSS version 20 using logistic regression statistical tests at 95% significant level. Results Our findings showed that hopelessness (OR = 1.095, 95% CI: 1.033, 1.160) and sensation seeking (OR = 1.139, 95% CI: 1.065, 1.219) were the main influential predictors on smoking. Anxiety sensitivity (OR = 1.436, 95% CI: 1.114, 1.851) and impulsively (OR = 1.443, 95% CI: 1.153, 1.806) were the main influential predictors on drug abuse. In addition, anxiety sensitivity (OR = 1.460, 95% CI: 1.004, 2.124) and sensation seeking (OR = 1.756, 95% CI: 1.120, 2.753) were the main influential predictors on psychotropic drug abuse. Finally, sensation seeking (OR = 1.222, 95% CI: 1.121, 1.331) was the main influential predictor on alcohol drinking. Conclusions Our findings indicated that sensation seeking was the best predictor for alcohol drinking, cigarette smoking, and psychotropic drug abuse.