The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training on Impulsivity and Problem-Solving Styles in Substance-Dependent Men

This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness training on impulsivity and problem-solving styles in substance-dependent men.

The present study was quasi-experimental with pretest-posttest and follow up design with a control group. The statistical population of the study included all substance-dependent men referred to the residential addiction treatment center in Islamshahr in 2019 (n=123). Among them, a sample of 40 individuals was selected by purposive sampling method and randomly assigned into the experimental (n=20) and control (n=20) groups. Participants completed the impulsivity scale and the problem-solving styles questionnaire in pretest, posttest, and follow up. The experimental group underwent eight 60-minute sessions of mindfulness training, and the control group did not receive any intervention. The data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance.

The results showed that mindfulness training improved impulsivity and problem-solving styles in the posttest phase and this effect remained stable during follow up phase.

The results of the present study showed that mindfulness training can be used as an appropriate method to improve impulsivity and problem-solving styles in substance-dependent men, and thus reduces the harmful effects of addiction.