287 Indian Journal of Mental Health 2016;3(3) Original Research Article The impact of personality types and gender on attitude towards drinking alcohol in patients with depression Nishtha Kumar 1 1 Post graduate student, Department of Psychology, Maniben Nanavati Women’s College, Mumbai. E-mail – nishthakumar.kumar@gmail.com ABSTRACT Background: Personality does play a role in the genesis of both depression and alcohol dependence. It is well known that patients with depression may indulge in alcohol consumption that in turn may lead to dependence. Men generally are more prone to alcohol dependence as a coping mechanism than women. The main purpose of the research was to study the relationship between personality type and gender on attitude towards drinking alcohol in patients with depression. Methodology: The study utilized a 2x2 design. The sample population was ninety which comprised of females and males and all were s diagnosed with depression. Sample was collected from Delhi, Ahmedabad and Mumbai. The method of purposive sampling was applied and McCroskey Introversion scale was administered and based on the scoring, sample population was divided into gender and personality type. A scale measuring attitude towards alcohol by Bharda and Girija was administered on all four groups of the sample. Analysis was done using a two way analysis of variance. Results: The findings of the study showed that there was significant effect of personality type (introversion & extroversion) on attitude towards drinking alcohol. There was also a significant effect of gender (male & female) on attitude towards drinking alcohol. There was no effect interaction between personality type and gender on the attitude towards drinking alcohol. Conclusion: Personality and gender play a role in both depression and alcohol dependence and need to be considered when planning treatment and relapse prevention as well as playing a role in the genesis of alcohol dependence and attitudes towards alcohol intake. Key words: personality, depression, gender, male, female, alcohol dependence, introversion, attitudes towards alcohol, extraversion. (Paper received – 7 th December 2015, Peer review completed – 12 th March 2016, Accepted – 26 th July 2016) INTRODUCTION Depression is a major mental health concern during emerging adulthood [1]. Personality refers to individuals' unique and relatively stable patterns of behavior, thoughts, and feelings [2]. Neuroticism was originally conceptualized as a quantitative personality trait defining an individual’s vulnerability to various neurotic disorders and psychological distress. Individuals with high Neuroticism are characterized with emotional instability and are prone to low self-esteem, feelings of anxiety, depression, and guilt [3]. Essau et al. [4] also investigated co-morbid psychological disorders such as depression and somatic problems and found that depressive disorders and somatic disorders accompany substance use disorders in almost 15 percent of the cases. The study concluded that alcohol fulfilled all the characteristics of an access substance to drug use. From the onset of drug consumption and stabilization of drug related psychological and physical disturbances not more than one year passed by females and about two years by males. An examination of the relationship between personality and alcoholism presupposes that clearly identifies dimensions of personality exist and can be agreed upon. This, however, is not necessarily the case.