Deciphering the Enigma: Exploring the Impact of Personality Traits on Treatment Results in Therapy Approaches for Co-Occurring Insomnia and Alcohol Dependence

Abstract

Insomnia and alcoholism frequently co-occur in patients under treatment, prompting an inquiry into the relationship between treatment efficacy and personality traits in individuals grappling with both conditions. The primary objective of this study was to explore how personality traits influence the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) in individuals with concurrent insomnia and alcohol use disorder, whose potential benefits from such intervention remain uncertain. Through a randomized controlled trial involving participants recruited from support groups, hospitals, and nearby clinics, CBT-I or a control treatment was randomly assigned. Assessments of sleep quality, insomnia severity, alcohol usage, and personality factors were conducted at baseline and follow-up stages. Results showed varying degrees of reduction in insomnia severity post-therapy, with conditions like depression, PTSD, alcohol dependence, and psychiatric comorbidities indicating improvement with CBT-I. Additionally, alcohol abuse and related illnesses were found to exacerbate insomnia symptoms. High conscientiousness and low neuroticism were associated with improved treatment response in CBT-I, emphasizing the importance of considering personality traits in treatment planning. This study suggests that personalized approaches integrating personality characteristics may enhance outcomes in individuals with co-occurring insomnia and alcohol dependence, warranting further investigation into the complex interplay of personality, treatment response, and long-term results.

Objectives: The objective of the study is to investigate the effect of personality factors on treatment outcomes in therapeutic techniques for individuals with co-occurring insomnia and alcohol dependency.

 Methods: The study would be an 8-week, randomized, parallel-group trial of cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) in individuals with co-occurring insomnia and alcohol dependence.

Results: In the CBT-I cohort, there was a notable increase in sleep efficacy (81.4% ± 5.2%) compared to the control group (67.8% ± 6.8%). Similarly, the CBT-I participants reported enhanced sleep quality (7.2 ± 1.3) compared to the control group (5.6 ± 1.1). Regarding alcohol-related effects, individuals in the CBT-I group consumed fewer beverages weekly (9.5 ± 3.1) than those in the control group (12.3 ± 4.2). Additionally, alcohol dependence severity decreased in the CBT-I group compared to the control group (4.8 ± 1.2 vs. 6.2 ± 1.5). The study also explored the link between personality traits and treatment outcomes, finding that traits like high conscientiousness and low neuroticism correlated with better responses to CBT-I. Accounting for personality traits could thus enhance tailored treatment and outcomes for individuals with insomnia and alcoholism.Personality trait effects on treatment were assessed using standardized tests at baseline and follow-up, including extraversion, neuroticism, and conscientiousness. Initial analysis showed no significant differences between the groups. However, a deeper examination revealed that the CBT-I group had notably improved extraversion ratings compared to the control group at subsequent assessments.

Assessments of sleep and alcohol use outcomes were conducted at baseline and follow-up for both groups. The CBT-I group exhibited significantly improved sleep quality and effectiveness compared to the control group. Moreover, they showed greater reductions in weekly alcohol consumption and alcohol dependence severity compared to the control group.

These findings suggest that CBT-I can lead to improved sleep outcomes and reduced alcohol use in individuals with co-occurring insomnia and alcohol dependence.

Conclusions: This research aimed to explore how personality factors influence treatment results in therapies for individuals dealing with both insomnia and alcohol dependency. The study's outcomes shed light on the connection between personality traits and treatment effectiveness in this particular group. It indicated that specific personality traits, like extraversion, could impact how individuals respond to treatment, underscoring the importance of tailoring therapy approaches to individual differences. Moreover, the study confirmed the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) in enhancing sleep outcomes and reducing alcohol consumption in people with concurrent disorders. These findings underscore the significance of developing personalized treatment methods that consider individual personality traits to optimize therapeutic results. Overall, this study advances our comprehension of the intricate interplay among personality factors, sleep issues, and alcohol addiction, opening avenues for further research and the creation of customized therapies for this population.