Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 2 (MMPI 2) examination in patients with benzodiazepine addiction in Yogyakarta

Abstract

Addiction is a major health problem in Indonesia. The prevalence and pattern of drugs
addiction shifted according to changes in personality, stressors, or increasing responsibility
as people grow. Individual personality will affect their tendency to develop drug addiction.
Benzodiazepines abuse has steadily increased. Unlike other type drugs of abuse, the
characteristics of benzodiazepine abusers are greatly varied. Therefore, the personality
traits and social economic factors involved in the benzodiazepine addiction are unique.
In this study we evaluated the personality traits of patient with benzodiazepine addiction
in Yogyakarta using Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) 2 test. This
study was a descriptive analytic study with a cross sectional design. Subjects were 39
benzodiazepine addicts obtained from private psychiatrist practices in Yogyakarta. The
instruments used were questionnaire for personal information and MMPI 2. Statistical
analysis was conducted with SPSS ver. 17 and significance level was defined at p<0.05.
MMPI 2 test revealed a low total mental capacity index and a low basic personality index
(OCEAN: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism).
The clinical profiles examination showed profile of somatic symptoms due to psychological
disturbances, clinical symptoms of overt suspiciousness, overt negative emotionality,
clinical symptoms of depression, symptoms of psychopathic behaviours (antisocial),
emotional difficulty in interpersonal relationship, clinical symptoms related to overt
emotion, and weird and bizarre psychological experiences. There are certain personality
variables that may be important predictors for benzodiazepine addiction identified in this
study.