The Diagnostic Role of Delayed Reward Discounting and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies in Individuals with Stimulant Abuse, Opiate Abuse, and Smoking Disorders

The aim of this study was to examine the diagnostic role of delayed reward discounting and cognitive emotion regulation strategies in people with stimulant abuse, opiate abuse, and smoking disorders.
In the form of a causal-comparative research design, 45 patients with opioid use, 45 patients stimulant use, and 45 patients with smoking were selected via convenience sampling method from among the clients with stimulant use, opioid use, and smoking. These participants were evaluated through Monetary-Choice Questionnaire (Kirby, Petry, & Bickel, 1999) and Short Form of Emotional Cognitive Ordering Strategies (Hassani, 2011). Diagnostic function analysis was used to analyze the data.
The results of diagnostic function with two variables of delayed reward discounting and cognitive emotion regulation strategies could correctly group 93.3% of stimulant abusers, 88.9% opiate abusers, and 86.4% of smokers; in other words, 89.6% of all participants were classified correctly.
Delayed reward discounting and cognitive emotion regulation strategies made a significant contribution to the diagnosis of and differentiation among the three groups of stimulant abusers, opioid abusers, and smokers. Therefore, it is recommended that these factors be considered in the prevention and treatment programs associated with these three disorders.