The Comparison of Sensation Seeking, Locus of Control and Perfectionism between Drug-Dependent and Non-Dependent Individuals

Substance abuse is one of the problems in human society that is increasingly enhanced, and there is no country where has been protected from its adverse effects.This study aimed to compare sensation seeking, locus of control and perfectionism between drug-dependent and non-dependent individuals. This research was a causal-comparative design. Fifty drug-dependent individuals and 50 family members and first degree relatives of drug abusers were selected using the available sampling method. Both groups, after pairing based on age and education, completed the Zuckerman Sensation Seeking Scale (1987), the Rotter's Locus of Control Scale (1975) and the Frost multidimensional perfectionism scale (1990). Data were analyzed by multivariable analysis of variance (MANOVA). The results showed that there were significant differences between drug-dependent and non-dependent individuals in sensation seeking, locus of control and perfectionism. Drug-dependent individuals showed higher scores on sensation seeking, internal locus of control and perfectionism than non-dependent individuals. Effective management of emotion and internal control can drive individuals into adaptive behaviors and these adaptive behaviors lead to strengthen the abstinence of addictive behaviors.