Personality Profiles Associated With Vulnerability to Substance Use Among Moroccan Middle School Students Aged 12–14 Years: An Exploratory Study Using the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS)

Abstract

Early prevention of addictive behaviors requires a better understanding of individual differences that may increase adolescents’ vulnerability. The Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS) assesses four personality dimensions theoretically associated with distinct risk pathways: hopelessness, anxiety sensitivity, impulsivity, and sensation seeking. This cross-sectional, descriptive, and exploratory study aimed to describe these dimensions among Moroccan middle school students and to examine the internal consistency of the administered Arabic version. The sample included 150 students aged 12 to 14 years. Analyses comprised descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha coefficients, comparisons by sex, age, and parents’ marital status, and correlations between subscales. The mean total SURPS score was 53.52 (SD = 8.28), with acceptable internal consistency for exploratory purposes (α = .70). When adjusted for the number of items, sensation seeking showed the highest mean (M/item = 2.83), followed by anxiety sensitivity (2.45), impulsivity (2.36), and hopelessness (1.79). Reliability was acceptable for hopelessness (α = .75), modest for anxiety sensitivity (α = .64), and low to modest for impulsivity (α = .55) and sensation seeking (α = .54). After correction for multiple comparisons, no sex difference remained statistically significant. No significant differences were found by age or parents’ marital status. Correlations between dimensions were small to moderate, with the strongest association observed between impulsivity and sensation seeking (r = .29). These findings provide an initial description of SURPS personality profiles in this Moroccan sample; however, they do not support conclusions regarding actual substance use, motives for use, or effects sought. Further psychometric validation in larger and more diverse samples is required.