Purpose: This study tested a model of the effect of maladaptive schemas on addiction severity and the mediating role of psychological flexibility between the two.
Methods: The descriptive and methodological study was conducted with 661 opioid users. Data were collected using the questionnaire, including sociodemographic Characteristics, Addiction Profile Index, Young Schema Questionnaire 3 Short Form, Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II and Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and correlational analysis and structural equation model.
Results: The mean age was 27.43 ± 7.04 years. Of participants, 52.3% had a secondary school degree, 76.7% had no children, 90.8% were men, 69.3% single, 71.9% unemployed, and 71.4% lived with their parents. Relationship between schemas and addiction severity was 0.36 (p < 0.05), which was reduced to 0.10 by psychological flexibility (p < 0.05). Psychological flexibility affects addiction severity directly, but maladaptive schemas affect addiction severity through psychological flexibility.
Conclusions: Maladaptive schemas and psychological flexibility are constructs that need to be addressed in substance use treatment.
Keywords: Addiction; Addiction severity; Maladaptive schemas; Opioid addiction; Psychological flexibility.
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