Role of Early Maladaptive Schemas on Addiction Potential in Youth

BACKGROUND: Drug abuse in juveniles is one of the most serious problems which lead to different physical, social and educational damages and outcomes. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study is to predict the addiction Potential in youths by their early maladaptive schemas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research sample included students of the University of Sistan and Baluchistan, Zahedan, Iran, with average age of 19-24 years. Participants were 260 undergraduate students (159 girls and 101 boys) that were selected by probability proportional cluster random sampling. The instruments were the Addiction Potential Scale (APS) and Early Maladaptive Schemas SQ-SF (short form questionnaires). RESULTS: The result showed that there are positive and significant relationships among early maladaptive schemas include Disconnection/ Rejection, Impaired autonomy / Performance, Impaired Limits, Other-Directedness and Over vigilance / Inhibition, and addiction Potential. Also, results of regression showed the highest Addiction Potential predicted by the following schemas: Disconnection / Rejection, impaired autonomy and performance other-Directedness. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, Addiction Potential is one of the areas which can be used in planning and preventive activities, through identifying the groups with Early Maladaptive Schemas.