Tridimensional personality traits in sons of alcoholic and nonalcoholic fathers.
Sons of alcoholics (SOAs; n = 27) and sons of nonalcoholics (SONAs; n = 23) were compared across Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ) and Sensation Seeking scales and measures of plasma homovanillic acid and platelet monoamine oxidase activity. SOAs and SONAs did not differ significantly on any measure. The pattern of correlations between TPQ and Sensation Seeking scales provided some support for the construct validity of TPQ measures. Scores on the TPQ Novelty Seeking scale and platelet monoamine oxidase activity were significantly inversely associated (r = -0.52, p < 0.02) among SOAs, but not among SONAs (r = -0.06).