Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Honors Paper

Degree Name

Psychology-BS

Department

Psychology

Advisor

Denise Hatter-Fisher

First Committee Member

Denise Hatter-Fisher

Second Committee Member

Meredith Meyer

Third Committee Member

Jim Bates

Keywords

substance use, family influence, personality, personality traits

Subject Categories

Clinical Psychology | Psychology

Abstract

Historically, family history of substance use has been considered a strong predictor of adolescent drug involvement. Research has demonstrated that specific personality traits can predict substance use. The current investigation focused on identifying personality traits that predict the use of specific substances, while considering factors such as familial relationship quality. Participants completed an online survey that assessed the personality dimensions of psychoticism, neuroticism, and extraversion. Participants were asked to report details about their familial relationships, substance use frequency, and reasons for use (misuse). Correlations were found between high levels of psychoticism and alcohol use, and high levels of extraversion and alcohol use. Additionally, associations between reasons for misuse and psychoticism and neuroticism support my hypothesis. Finally, it was supported that familial relationship quality was an accurate predictor of substance misuse regardless of personality. This suggested that regardless of personality, high quality familial relationships can protect adolescents from substance use. Positive familial relationships are important for informing family and school-based substance use intervention programs. Positive familial relationships discourage deviant peer contact, which can prevent adolescents from using substances or engaging in risky behaviors. Attempts to prevent substance use and addiction can support adolescent emotional regulation, intrapersonal relations, and mental stability. Early substance use can impair one’s ability to cope with stress, sense of self-concept, and empathy (Van den Bree & Pickworth, 2005). Thus, this study’s findings suggested that familial interventions implemented during adolescence can improve an individual’s well-being both before and after substance use.

Licensing Permission

Copyright, all rights reserved. Fair Use

Acknowledgement 1

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Acknowledgement 2

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