The Relationship between Depression, Anxiety, Stress and Aggression in Patients with Drug Dependence

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between ‘depression, anxiety and stress’ and aggression in people with drug dependence. An analytical study was conducted to determine correlation. In 2013, 110 individuals with drug-dependence were selected conveniently as a sample group. Data were collected using the ‘Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale’ (DASS) and the ‘Buss-Prey Aggression Questionnaire’. They were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression. Findings indicated significant correlations between ‘depression, anxiety and stress’ and aggression (depression & aggression r=0.828, anxiety & aggression r=0.793, stress & aggression r=0.775; p<0.0005). Depression (p<0.0005) and stress (p<0.05) showed significant predictiveness for aggression, while anxiety did not significant predictiveness (p> 0.05). The results showed that depression, anxiety, and stress were associated with aggression in people with drug dependence. This study suggests that addiction treatment centers and cognitive-behavior therapy clinics take into account the psychological co-morbidities present in drug-dependent individuals and attempt to treat them too.