Investigating the relationship between differentiation levels and problem solving styles in people with substance use disorders

One of the concepts that has been considered by researchers in preventing all kinds of injuries and malfunctions such as addiction and can help the literature related to the field of addiction is the degree of its differentiation. Understanding differentiation informs us of how individuals shape their behavior within the larger social context. The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between their levels of differentiation and problem solving styles in drug addicts.

The research was descriptive-correlational and was conducted among those addicts in Kashan who had referred to addiction treatment centers in this city in 1400. Among them, 270 eligible subjects were selected by available sampling method and were asked to complete the Scorne differentiation questionnaires and Cassidy and Lang problem solving methods.

Analysis of data with Pearson correlation coefficient revealed that there is a significant relationship between their levels of differentiation and problem solving methods in addicts. This relationship was positive with constructive and efficient problem solving styles and inverse with non-constructive and inefficient styles.

The findings indicate that the level of differentiation is low in most addicts; For this reason, they are more likely to use inefficient methods of problem solving in the face of problems and events in their daily lives; Therefore, it is necessary to provide training to improve their level of differentiation in addiction prevention programs for children and adolescents, as well as in addiction treatment programs. This has a great impact on the use of effective and efficient methods of problem solving in the face of life problems and problems, and as a result, they will resort to drugs less to adapt to life problems and events.