A Comparative Study of Big Five Factors of Personality and Presumptive Life Stress as related to Relapse in Alcoholism

Abstract

Alcoholism refers to circumstances under which an individual becomes addicted to alcohol, in spite of its harmful effects. If explained from medical perspective, alcoholism is a disease either inherited or developed from genetic, psychological or social factors. Relapse, or the return to heavy alcohol use following a period of abstinence or moderate use, occurs in many drinkers who have undergone treatment. For this research a purposive sample of 300 male (150 relapse alcoholics & 150 non relapse alcoholics) in the age range of 25-40 years were selected from deaddiction and rehabilitation centres in and around Jaipur. Presumptive stressful events scale and NEO Five Factor Inventory were administered. Data were analysed using t test. Findings revealed that those having relapse of drinking experienced greater number of stressful events. It was further revealed that the non-relapse and relapse group scored differently on all the five factors of NEO Five Factor Inventory.