Effects of endogenous and exogenous progesterone on emotional intelligence in cocaine‐dependent men and women who also abuse alcohol. (3rd November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Milivojevic, Verica; Sinha, Rajita; Morgan, Peter T.; Sofuoglu, Mehmet; Fox, Helen C.
• Is Part Of: Human psychopharmacology. Volume 29:Number 6(2014:Aug.)
• Page Start: 589
• Page End: 598
• Publication Date: 2014-11-03
• Subjects: Psychopharmacology -- Periodicals; Psychotropic drugs -- Periodicals; Psychopharmacology -- Periodicals; Psychotropic Drugs -- pharmacology -- Periodicals; 615.78
• DOI: 10.1002/hup.2446
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-6222

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="hup2446-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>As sex differences in substance dependence may impinge upon the perception and regulation of emotion, we assess emotional intelligence (EI) as a function of gender, menstrual cycle (MC) phase and hormonal changes in early abstinent cocaine‐dependent individuals who abuse alcohol (CDA).</p> </sec> <sec id="hup2446-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Study 1: The Mayer, Salovey, and Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) was administered to 98 CDA (55 M/43 F) and 56 healthy (28 M/28 F) individuals. Performance in women was also assessed by MC phase. Study 2: The MSCEIT was administered to 28 CDA (19 M/9 F) who received exogenous progesterone (400 mg/day) versus placebo for 7 days (study 2).</p> </sec> <sec id="hup2446-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Study 1: Healthy females were better than healthy males at facilitating thought and managing emotions. This gender discrepancy was not observed in the CDA group. Additionally, all women in the high compared with the low progesterone phase of their MC were better at managing their emotions. Study 2: Exogenous progesterone improved ability to facilitate thought in both males and females.</p> </sec> <sec id="hup2446-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>CDA women may be vulnerable to difficulties managing and regulating emotions. Gonadal hormones may contribute to this gender effect, as increases in both endogenous and exogenous progesterone improved selective aspects of EI. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.</p> </sec> </abstract>