Journal of Psychology & Behavioral Science

Personality Traits and Correlates of Substance use among Persons with Mental Health Challenges in a Psychiatric Facility: Implication for Counselling
Victor Chidi Onyencho, Ibrahim Adamu Mshelia, Mshelia Anthony Ali, Pindar Sadique Kwajaffa, Charles Umeh, Ifeoma Ebele

Abstract
Substance use causes a significant burden to individuals and societies throughout the world. This study aimed to evaluate personality traits and correlates of substance use among persons with mental health challenges in a psychiatric facility and its implication for counselling. This cross-sectional survey study used a purposive sampling technique to select one hundred and eighteen participants (97.5%) males and (2.5%) females with age ranges from 17 to 47 years, mean age of 30.8 and (SD ± 7.3). The study revealed that 62.7% uses cigarettes, 50% uses cannabis and 37.5 uses tramadol. Fifty percent of the participants use more than two psychoactive substances. Residing in an urban setting, earning below $ 2, coming from the polygamous background, and having unhindered access to drugs were found to correlates with psychoactive substance use. On five dimensions of personality traits, 50% of the participants were neither high nor low on extraversion, 55.9% were high on neuroticism and 52.5% were high on openness to experience. On agreeableness, 55.9% were low and on conscientiousness 54.2% were low. Base on the above findings, it therefore recommends that incorporation of personality assessment, correlates and patterns of use should be given attention during substance abuse rehabilitation program.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jpbs.v8n1a6