The Comparison of Normal and Drug-dependent Soldiers Concerning Problem-solving Styles

Drug dependency is counted as one of the serious flaws that could incapacitate the armed forces. Accordingly, this research aimed to compare problem-solving styles in normal and dependent soldiers in a cross sectional form of study in 2010. It is a descriptive-comparative study with a sample of 100 subjects (50 drug-dependent soldiers accompanied by 50 normal ones). The tools in this study were scale of problem solving (Long and Cassidy) plus demographic questionnaire. Then, the data were analyzed using methods of descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (mean comparison, ANOVA) using SPSS software. Findings showed that two groups were different in all domains of problem-solving styles and drug-dependent group got higher means in the areas of helplessness, problem-solving control and avoidance style. The mentioned group had lower means in creative problem-solving style, problem-solving confidence and approach style (p<0/001). According to the results, it is recommended training the youth prone to danger in skills of increasing self-esteem, resistance against psychological pressures and finally relaxation and coping with stress for better interpersonal relationships.