RESEARCH ON ADDICTION
Year:2014 | Volume:8 | Issue:31|Papers Count:13

Objective: This study aimed to compare psychological capital and metacognitive beliefs between drug-dependent students and normal students.Method: The present study was of a causal-comparative nature. The students of Azad University of Tabriz in 2013 constituted the study population. Then, two groups of 50 drug-dependent and normal students were selected through convenience and clustering sampling methods, respectively. Cartwright-Hatton and Wells’ Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ-30) and Luthans’ Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ-24) were used for data collection purposes.Results: The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of psychological capital and metacognitive beliefs. This means that drug-dependent students suffer lower psychological capital and impaired metacognitive beliefs.Conclusion: According to the obtained results, it is feasible to wane students’ tendency to drug use with the growth of psychological capital and the implementation of programs on metacognitive beliefs.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of motivational interviewing on lifestyle changes in female addicts under way for recovery.Method: A quasi-experimental design along with pretest-posttest and control group was used for this study. The number of 32 female addicts referring to rehab centers constituted the study sample. With regard to the inclusion and exclusion criteria they were selected and randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group was treated with eight sessions of group motivational interviewing along with lifestyle change program. Lifestyle questionnaire was used for data collection.Results: Intervention led the experimental group to higher lifestyle scores compared to the control group.Conclusion: It can be concluded from the findings of this study that the addition of motivational interviewing to lifestyle change programs is an effective way to change addictive behaviors and, thus, improve lifestyle.

Objective: This study was an attempt to compare impulsive decision-making between AIDS sufferers, people suffering substance abuse, and nonclinical populations.Method: This was a causal-comparative study which was conducted within the six months of 2011. In this study, 30 AIDS sufferers, 30 drug abusers, and 30 healthy subjects from nonclinical population in the 15-67 age range were selected through convenience sampling. The selected participants were matched in terms of age, education, and gender. Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (1997) were administered to the three groups.Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference among the three groups in impulsivity subscales.Conclusion: The results showed that there existed some degree of deficiency in decision-making processes in AIDS sufferers and drug dependent persons. It may be rooted in a number of personality traits; neurological damage; drug use; the insufficiency of appropriate training in life skills, problem-solving, and decision-making; the availability of emotions at paly; and personal and cultural thoughts and beliefs around protective behaviors in sexual relationships.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the differences in the scores relating to brain/behavioral systems in two groups of narcotic and stimulant substance abusers.Method: An Expos Facto research design was used in this study. The study sample consisted of 200 drug-dependent male participants who were selected from the addicts referring to authorized treatment centers and inpatient rehab camps in Tabriz through convenience sampling method. The researcher used behavioral activation system (BAS) and behavioral inhibition system (BIS) scales developed by Carver and White (1994).Results: The results revealed that behavioral activation system scores were different in narcotic and stimulant substance abusers and stimulant substance abusers outperformed their narcotic counterparts in BAS. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in BIS scores.Conclusion: The results enjoy practical implications.

Objective: This study was an attempt to compare the therapeutic effects of matrix treatment on the severity of addiction and mental health between female and male methamphetamine abusers.Method: From among 121 patients admitted in maintenance treatment centers, 91 patients who met the conditions required for participation in this study were selected and randomly assigned to two separate groups based on gender (female=43 and male=48). In the following, 9 males and 4 females were excluded from the study. Mental Health and Addiction Severity Index was administered to both groups before and after the intervention.Results: The results were indicative of no significant difference in any of the subscales of addiction severity between female and male abusers after treatment. However, the difference in mental health scores was statistically significant. Males experienced an increase in depression in comparison with females whereas females underwent higher levels of anxiety than males.Conclusion: Matrix treatment shows significantly different effects on mental health of females and males.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of group training of procedural emotion regulation strategies in cognitive coping of individuals suffering substance abuse.Method: A quasi-experimental design along with pretest-posttest and control group was used for this study. Then, 16 patients suffering substance abuse were selected through convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to two control and experimental groups. The experimental group received 10 sessions of group training of procedural emotion regulation strategies while the control group received no treatment. Both groups before and after the treatment completed the Persian version of cognitive emotion regulation questionnaire (Hasani, 2011).Results: The results showed that group training of e procedural motion regulation strategies leads to a reduction in maladaptive strategies such as self-blame, rumination, catastrophizing, and other-blame; and an increase in adaptive strategies such as refocus on planning, positive reappraisal, and perspective development.Conclusion: Training of procedural emotion regulation strategies via the reduction of maladaptive and increase of adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies can provide the opportunity for the improvement and non-return to substance abuse.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of personality factors and general self-efficacy with operative and strategic hope for treatment.Method: The number of 350 self-referred addicts to treatment centers in Isfahan City was chosen through random cluster sampling. Then, the three following questionnaires entitled personality traits of NEO, Sherer and Maddux’s General Self-Efficacy Scale, and Schneider Adult Hope Scale were administered to them.Results: The results showed that personality factors and general self-efficacy were correlated with hope for treatment. As well, dimensions of neuroticism and conscientiousness, and by far, self-efficacy had the predicative power of hope for treatment.Conclusion: Personality factors and general self-efficacy are useful for the estimate of operative and strategic hope for treatment in addicts.

Objective: The present study was aimed at comparing interpersonal sensitivity and assertiveness between drug-dependent persons and ordinary people.Method: The research method was causal-comparative. The statistical population of the study consisted of all narcotic addicts of Tabriz City who referred to Addiction Treatment Centers while the research was being conducted. The number of 30 addicted persons was selected through cluster sampling and 30 ordinary persons as control group through convenience sampling method. Gmbryl & Ritchie’s assertiveness questionnaire (1975) and Boyce & Parker’s Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM; 1989) were used for data collection purposes.Results: The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between two groups in terms of interpersonal sensitivity and assertiveness. The addicts showed less assertiveness and more interpersonal sensitivity in comparison with their healthy counterparts.Conclusion: The findings show that people who are unable to express themselves and exert sensitivity in interpersonal relationships are more likely at high risk of substance dependence. However, it is possible to prevent these persons from turning to addiction by teaching them these skills.

Objective: This study aimed at comparing the degree of public health and social support in addicted and non-addicted people.Method: This study was causative-comparative and all addicts who had referred to addiction treatment centers in city of Khoy in 2012 constituted its population. From among this population, 60 addicts through convenience sampling method were selected and then peered with 60 normal subjects by age, gender, and education. The measurement tools were Goldberg Public Health (Ghq-28) and Social Support (Fleming) questionnaires.Results: The results showed That Addicts enjoy a lower degree of Mental Health and Social Support.Conclusion: Providing social support for the addicts under treatment programs is one of the important factors in withdrawal from drug use.

Objective: The aim of present study was the prediction of tendency to substance abuse on the basis of self esteem and components of emotional intelligence.Method: In this descriptive-correlational Study our sample included 153 students of Azad university of qorveh which selected by simple random sampling. APS, Rosenberg’s self esteem scale and Bradberry’s emotional intelligence questionnaires administered among selected sample.Results: Research findings represented that there are negative significant correlation between tendency to substance abuse and self esteem, also between tendency to substance abuse and self management and relationship management.Conclusion: Results of this study are showing the predictor role of self esteem, self-management and relationship management in tendency to substance abuse.