Relación entre los rasgos de personalidad, consumo de sustancias y conductas delictivas en pacientes internos en una comunidad terapéutica, en la ciudad de Cuenca, 2024

Abstract

Personality traits are attributes that guide actions, thoughts, and emotions, impacting different areas of life. The use of psychoactive substances affects mental processes such as perception, consciousness, cognition, and emotions. As a result, mental disorders can emerge that are characterized by compulsive substance seeking and consumption, as well of dysfunctional behaviors. Research has shown that there is a linked between substance use and criminal behavior; pointing out predisposing factors such as: individual, socioeconomic, and psychosocial. The objective of the present study was to determine the relationship between personality traits, substance use, and criminal behavior. This was obtained by studying a sample of 44 patients from a Therapeutic Community within the period 2021-2023. The research had a quantitative and correlational approach. The results of the MCMI-III revealed a high prevalence of antisocial and depressive traits, in addition of high alcohol and cocaine consumption. Domestic violence was the most common criminal behavior. Furthermore, significant correlations were found, such as a positive relationship between narcissism and cocaine base consumption. The study underlines the importance of considering personality during addiction treatment. Likewise, the need to develop intervention strategies adapted to the individual characteristics of each patient.