File(s) under permanent embargo
Motivational drive and alprazolam misuse: a recipe for aggression?
journal contribution
posted on 2016-06-30, 00:00 authored by B Albrecht, Petra StaigerPetra Staiger, Kate HallKate Hall, Nicolas KambouropoulosNicolas Kambouropoulos, D BestBenzodiazepine-related aggression has received insufficient research attention, in particular little is known about the motivational factors which may contribute to the development of this paradoxical response. The revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory provides a theoretical framework from which to understand the relevant underlying motivational processes. The current study aimed to identify the role of approach and avoidance motivational tendencies in the occurrence of benzodiazepine-related aggression. Data regarding benzodiazepine and other substance use, approach and avoidance motivation, and general and physical aggressive behaviour were collected via self-report questionnaires. Participants were a convenience sample (n=204) who reported using benzodiazepines in the previous year. Participants were primarily male (62.7%), aged 18-51 years old. Hierarchical multiple regressions indicated that general and physical aggression were predicted by alprazolam use and Drive, a facet of approach motivation. Overall, lower diazepam use significantly predicted higher levels of general aggression. However, when diazepam-preferring participants were examined in isolation of the larger sample (23.5% of sample), problematic (dependent) diazepam use was associated with greater aggression scores, as was dependence risk for alprazolam-preferring participants (39.7% of sample). The findings highlight the importance of motivational factors and benzodiazepine use patterns in understanding benzodiazepine-related aggression, with implications for violent offender rehabilitation.
History
Journal
Psychiatry researchVolume
240Pagination
381 - 389Publisher
ElsevierLocation
Amsterdam, The NetherlandsPublisher DOI
ISSN
0165-1781eISSN
1872-7123Language
engPublication classification
C Journal article; C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2016, Elsevier Ireland Ltd.Usage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
Aggressive behaviourBenzodiazepinesReinforcement sensitivity theoryAdolescentAdultAggressionAlprazolamDriveFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedMotivationSubstance-Related DisordersYoung AdultScience & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicinePsychiatryBEHAVIORAL-APPROACH SYSTEMPHYSICAL AGGRESSIONDISTINGUISHING BISDIAZEPAM VALIUMPERSONALITYBIS\/BASANXIETYDRUGSANGER
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC