Personality Characteristics of Alcoholic and Depressed Patients
DAVID M. SHAW Ph.D., M.R.C.Psych.1,
DAVID A. MACSWEENEY M.R.C.S., D.P.M.2,
ANTHONY L. JOHNSON Ph.D.3, and
JULIUS MERRY M.D., F.R.C.Psych.4
1 External Staff of the Medical Research Council, Department of Psychological Medicine, Welsh National School of Medicine, Whitchurch Hospital, Cardiff CF4 7XB.
2 Academic Department of Psychiatry, Middlesex Hospital Medical School, London, W1P 8AA
3 Medical Research Council Statistical Research and Services Unit, University College Hospital Medical School, 115 Gower Street, London, WC1E 6AS
4 West Park Hospital, Epsom, Surrey
A questionnaire combining the PEN scale (Eysenck and Eysenck, 1969) and the `Validity' scale (V) of the Marke-Nyman Temperament Scale was given to alcoholic individuals and depressed patients (ill and after recovery). The alcoholic individuals resembled the recovered depressives in their low scores on V but differed from them in their high N values, recovered depressives being similar to controls in this measure. Male alcoholics and ill depressives recorded high P values but the latter returned to near the control mean on recovery. The findings in the depressed subjects confirmed earlier work.
Submitted on February 25, 1974
