여성 알코올 의존 입원환자의 음주 양상 및 기질 성격 특성

Drinking Patterns, Temperament and Character of Female Inpatients with Alcohol Dependence

Objective：This study examined the temperament and character inventory (TCI) scores as well as demographic and clinical data of female alcoholic patients, in order to discern new treatment possibilities for them. Methods：Forty-three female patients with alcohol dependence and thirty-two female social drinkers were included in this study. Female patients were divided into subgroups with positive and negative family histories. The presence or absence of drinking problems in the hus-band was also recorded. The demographic data and the TCI scores of groups were obtained. The clinical characteristics of each group were identified by obtaining information about drinking habits and childhood victimization histories, and by administer-ing the Beck Depression Inventory (K-BDI), State-trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI), Acute Physiological and Psychological Response after Drinking, and the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST-K). Results：Higher scores of Self-Transcendence (ST) and lower scores of Self-Directedness (SD) were shown in female patients compared to normal controls. Female alcoholics had higher scores on the BDI and STAI, and tended to have more suicidal thoughts and attempts. They also showed higher rates of childhood victimization experiences such as physical abuse. Conclusion：TCI profiles of the female alcoholic patients compared with normal healthy subjects reflected common comorbid psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety disorder, and personality dis-order. The evaluation of childhood traumatic experience and suicidal risk should be included in the treatment process for fe-male alcoholics.