Vulnerability to substance abuse and the risk of suicide in students of region 12 of islamic azad university.

BACKGROUND: Substance abuse prevalence and the number of suicides among university students is less than public population; however the sensitivity of society regarding the occurrence of such damages among students puts special emphasis on appraising these variables. More than 30% of Iranian students study in Islamic Azad University. OBJECTIVES: The current research aimed to appraise the vulnerability of substance abuse and the risk of suicide in students of region 12 of Islamic Azad University. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the current study, 1053 students (606 boys and 447 girls) with the average age of 22.55 years were selected through stratified sampling from Karaj, Takestan, Qazvin and Qom branches of Islamic Azad University. In order to assess the variables, Mental Health Worksheet of Central Counseling Office of the Ministry Science, Research and Technology was utilized. RESULTS: Average, standard deviation, minimum and maximum scores in substance abuse vulnerability of the students in region 12 were measured as 36.28, 14.68, 11.22 and 92.87; and the same for risk of suicide were 31.29, 15.61, 7.93 and 96.30, respectively. Students in Qom branch were significantly less vulnerable to substance abuse and less exposed to the risk of suicide than their peers in Karaj, Qazvin and Takestan branches. CONCLUSIONS: Less significant possibility of substance abuse and risk of suicide in students of Qom branch in comparison with other branches could be due to numerous variables particularly their religious attitudes. Nevertheless the average of these variables among the students of region 12 were higher than the reported scores of their peers in the state universities which reflects the serious need for precise assessments and providing preventive services and mental health interventions.

The effectiveness of matrix interventions in improving methadone treatment.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of opioid dependence disorder is one of the major problems in medical centers around the world. Although MMT has been the major treatment in last few years in Iran, the existence of relapse before and after detoxification is still high. Methadone treatment has had a very low percentage of complete success. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of matrix group interventions in improving methadone treatment in the addicted was the main goal of this research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a semi - experimental design, 24 male patients on the qualification cutoff score for the questionnaire survey (score less than 19 in depression test, and less than 21 in anxiety test) and the diagnosis of opioid dependence according to (DSM - IV) were substituted in two experimental and control groups randomly. At the beginning of the study, after the treatment period and in the follow-up phase (three months after the end of treatment), participants were evaluated by Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Anger Questionnaire (AQ), control group with no psychological treatment only took methadone. Data were analyzed using covariance analysis, chi square and Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance. RESULTS: Results showed that the effect of matrix group interventions on reducing relapse (P < 0.05), increasing the maintenance of treatment (P < 0.01), increasing the treatment compliance, reducing anger, anxiety and depression and methadone dose is more effective than methadone treatment (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It seems matrix group interventions increase the effectiveness of methadone treatment by reducing the relapse prevention, the dose of methadone and remaining in treatment.

The Comparison of Self-regulation and Affective Control in Methamphetamine and Narcotics Addicts and Non-Addicts.

BACKGROUND: Increased prevalence and widespread use of methamphetamine is the public challenge and worry in the world. It seems that low levels of self-regulation and affective control to carry up probability of psychoactive drugs abuse. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study is the comparison of self-regulation and affective control in methamphetamine and narcotics addicts and non-addicts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this causative-comparative study, 80 addicts (40 methamphetamine addicts and 40 narcotic addicts) who referred to self-reference quitting addictive centers in Miyaneh, Iran, participated in convenience sampling. Then, they matched up with 40 non-addicts according to age, sex, educational level, and marital status. To collect data, we used self-regulation questionnaire and affective control scale. The data was analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and LSD test. RESULTS: Result shows that there is a significant difference between methamphetamine addicts and narcotics addicts and non-addicts in self-regulation and affective control (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This finding indicates that low self-regulation and affective control is a risky factor in psychoactive drugs abuse.

Role of father-child relational quality in early maladaptive schemas.

BACKGROUND: Primary maladaptive schemas, which are the basis of high-risk behavior and psychological disorders, result from childhood experiences with significant objects, such as fathers, in different developmental phases. OBJECTIVES: This endeavor examined the role of the father in predicting these schemas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 345 Islamic Azad University students (Qom Branch) who were chosen through convenience sampling completed the Young Schema Questionnaire, the Parental Bonding Instrument, and the Parent-Child Relationship Survey. RESULTS: A multivariate regression analysis indicated that anumber of aspects of the father-child relationship, including care, emotional interaction, positive affection, the effective relationship, and excessive support, predict particular schemas. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, these findings suggested that psychotherapists examine the different aspects of the father-child relationship when restructuring schemas.