The present work is based on the construction and exploratory implementation of a questionnaire that aims at eliciting aggressive and depressive reactions to frustrations in every day life. These frustrating situations were separated into conditions of withdrawal from positive and inflicition of negative reinforcement, either caused by human or nonhuman involvement applied deliberately or unintentionally. The questionnaire was validated in a group of n = 60 male abstinent alcohol dependents. The findings revealed that aggressive and depressive responses were highly correlated across all stimulus conditions and not specifically but rather equally associated with the personality factors of Aggression and Depression. This confirms the close association between these dimensions.Further results yielded significant relationships between factors of alcohol history and personality within the present sample. That is, number of detoxifications reflecting liability to relapse revealed a close association with the personality factors of Aggression and Depression as well as with pronounced reactions to frustrations from nonreward caused by humans. Severity of craving was associated with impulsivity and Depression. After controlling for impulsivity and Depression persons liable to relapse still emerged as particularly sensitive to frustrations from human denial of positive reinforcers which fits the theory of sensitivity to reward in dependents, whereas aggressive reactions to frustration in persons admitting particularly high alcohol craving were shown to be due to impulsivity and Depression.Finally, genetics and enzyme activity of monoamine oxidase B were considered. MAO B is involved in the catabolism of dopamine and had been shown to be associated with certain personality traits as well as with alcohol dependence. The present results may be suitable to modify the general view, that low MAO B is associated with impulsivity and Aggression, since they rather point to the possibility of a U shaped association between MAO B activity and personality. Although platelet MAO activity was not significantly associated with the genotype, the G allele of the genotype was related to faster reaction times in the behavioral impulsivity paradigm. On the level of self ratings subjects carrying the G allele scored higher on Aggression while the A allele carriers were higher on experience seeking. MAO B activity, on the other hand, was associated with the BIS 11 Impulsivity Scales. This association remained after controlling for the confounding factors smoking and age. So the two biomarkers evidently differentially affect impulsivity and antisocial behavior.
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