The Causal Model of Relationships of Negative Emotions, Core Beliefs, Substance-related Beliefs, Craving and Emotion Regulation with Substance Abuse Relapse

The purpose of this study was to test the direct and indirect relationships of negative emotion, core beliefs, substance-related beliefs, craving, and emotion regulation with relapse of substance abuse. A sample of 300 addicts in Jahrom city were selected by available sampling and completed depression- anxiety- stress scale, dysfunctional attitude scale, substance-related beliefs questionnaire, craving beliefs, negative emotion and emotion regulation scales. The collected data were analyzed by path analysis method. The results indicated that the hypothetical model had a good fitness and explain significant variance of substance abuse relapse. According to this model a set of cognitive variable such as core beliefs, substancerelated beliefs, craving beliefs and emotion regulation strategies mediated in relationship between negative emotion and substance relapse. Use of the cognitive techniques to identify and modifying of core beliefs and substance-related beliefs and training of adaptive coping with craving and emotion regulation strategies should be an important part of prevention and treatment programs.