Self-identification of patients suffering from mental and behavioral disorders due to use of different types of psychoactive substances: comparative analyses

The aim of the research presented in this article is to identify the characteristics of the process of self-identification of persons suffering from mental and behavioral disorders arising as a result of the use of psychoactive substances (alcohol - F10, opioids - F11, the combined use of drugs - F19). To achieve this goal the experimental method of self-identification investigation based on the model of this process was developed. This method directed to the investigation of the self-identification's functional structure. This structure is based on the original normative model that lies in the framework of cultural-historical psychology. The method allows to investigate formation of three functional blocks of self-identification: the establishment of sign as a self-identification tool, sign-mediating selection and the association of segmental individual story phenomenology (self-identification constructs formation), and providing symbolically mediating unity of personal self-identification constructs in conscious. It is shown that the functional structure of the self-identification of examinees suffering from mental and behavioral disorders arising as a result of substance use has its specificity in comparison with normal examinees, significant quantitative and qualitative differences are revealed. The results of comparison between the experimental groups and the control group show that there are differences in the formation of identity as higher mental function. Statistically significant differences between the group of normal subjects and subjects suffering from mental and behavioral disorders arising due to use of opioids (F11) in the development of such subfunction as formation of identity constructs, as well as formation of integrating self-identity were revealed. Qualitative analysis has shown that during the sign mediation, as a rule, addicted people replaced the affiliation to the appropriate group with more tolerant categories or decreased the significance of such category. This notice indicates the tendency of displacing one's own social, psychological and somatic status. Event-related gaps in the analysis of past were revealed while objectification by addicted subjects of their autobiographical experience. These people idealize their own future, deprive it of realistic characteristics. Metaidentification constructs of such patients lose their integrity and diversity, and represent a chaotic set of roles that do not have a personally meaningful content, as a rule. Subjects suffering from mental disorders associated with substance use have difficulties with the implementation of self-identification and to our point of view it is the manifestation of unique cognitive coping mechanisms. They are: the dissociations of autobiographical experience and the disintegration of identity constructs. Psychological meaning of these coping mechanisms is to protect the "Self' from the realization of their own social and personal insolvency associated with total dependence on the use of psychoactive substances, and as a result, the preservation of relatively stable, psychologically comfortable self-esteem.

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