The Survey of Attitude, Behavioral Beliefs and Evaluations of Behavioral Outcomes Yazd Fathers about Prevention of Tendency their Children to Addictive Drugs

Drug abuse and addiction in Iran is expanding continually. By reducing the onset age of addiction and the growing youth population in the country it seems prevention to be the most efficient way. In this regard, considering that family is the most important social institution that plays a fundamental role in children's socialization and social education and values, education is a major factor and has a major impact on personality development of the children. The aim of this study was to determine the attitude, behavioral beliefs and evaluations of behavioral outcomes in Yazdi fathers about prevention of their children's tendency to addictive drugs. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The research community comprised Yazdi fathers in a sample of 180 selected through a multistage random sampling method. Data collection tool was a valid and reliable questionnaire in three parts: seven demographic questions, four attitude items (α=0.81) with the score rang of 4-28, behavioral beliefs fifteen questions (α=0.89) with a score rang of 15-105 and evaluations of behavioral outcomes fifteen items (α=82) with the score rang of 15-105 all of which were completed through self-report. Data were then analyzed using SPSS-18 by independent T-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient and regression at α=0.05. The age of the participants was 30-59 years with the mean of 40.38±5.34. 98.3% were married, 22.8% had a history of addiction in the family and friends, 13.9% had a BS or higher education degree, and 34.7% were self-employed. Mean score on attitude was 19.45±5.14, behavioral believes 78.76±14.94 and the evaluation of behavioral outcomes 81.81±9.10. Attitude mean score of the landlord fathers (p=0.001) and behavioral beliefs (p=0.05) and fathers with BS and higher education degrees (p=0.001) and behavioral beliefs (p=0.012) were higher. There was a correlation between attitude and behavioral beliefs (r=0.368, p>0.001), attitude and evaluation of behavioral outcomes (r=0.304, p>0.001) and behavioral beliefs and evaluation of behavioral outcomes (r=0.792, p>0.001). Attitude, behavioral beliefs and evaluations of behavioral outcomes were optimal about father’s behaviors in prevention of tendency of children toward drugs so the importance and necessity of implementing preventive programs by fathers is emphasized.