Development of Causation Model between Automatic Negative Thoughts and Craving Mediating by Cognitive Emotional Regulation among Methadone Maintained Clients

The purpose of this study was to investigate the causal effects of automatic negative thought on craving mediating by cognitive emotional regulation. This study had a descriptive and correlational design. The study population consisted of methadone maintained clients of the Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies, Tehran City (n=78) and Mehr-Aein clinic in Rey city (n=42) who referred to treatment centers during February to April 2019. Data were collected through convenient sampling using craving questionnaires including Francken’s Obsessive-compulsive Drug Use Scale and Visual Analog Scale. Other study questionnaires were Cognitive Emotional Regulation Questionnaire and Automatic Negative Thought Scale. For data analysis, we used multivariate linear regression using the structural equation modeling and path analysis using STATA software. Findings revealed that there are significant correlations between automatic negative thoughts, cognitive emotional regulation and craving (P<0.001). Also, the results of hierarchical regression analysis indicate that cognitive emotional regulation can mediate the relationship between automatic negative thoughts and craving (P< 0.001). According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that clients who have higher levels of automatic negative thoughts and higher negative strategies of cognitive emotional regulation, experience a higher level of craving. Thus, identifying the level of negative thoughts and cognitive emotion regulation strategies of methadone-treated clients can predict the severity of craving and their leave or retention of the treatment.