The role of sensory processing sensitivity and emotional processing in predicting psychological disturbances in drug-dependent individuals

The aim of this study was to examine the role of sensory processing sensitivity and emotional processing in predicting psychological disturbances in drug-dependent individuals. The method was descriptive-correlational where the population included all male drug abusers in Tabriz city. The sample consisted of 290 individuals who were selected by cluster sampling. The data were collected using Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS), Emotional Processing Scale (EPS) and Kesler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10) and were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. The results revealed that sensory processing sensitivity and emotional processing had a positive relationship with psychological disturbances (p < .01). Also, the results of multiple regression analysis showed that sensory processing sensitivity and emotional processing can significantly predict 40 percent of psychological disturbances variance (p < .01). In accordance with current findings, it seems that sensory processing sensitivity and inefficient emotional processing are the antecedents of psychological disturbances in drug-dependent individuals.