Structural Modeling of Addiction Severity based on the Health and Support of the Original Family through the Mediating Role of Differentiation of Self

The aim of this study was to determine the structural modelling of addiction severity based on the health and support of the original family through the mediating role of differentiation of self in a group of drug addicts in Mashhad. This research was a descriptive-correlational study of structural equation. Out of 300 addicts presenting to Mashhad's addiction treatment centers, 169 people were selected through convenience sampling method according to Morgan table. The number ofv19 questionnaires were excluded from the final analysis due to lack of clear responses to the items. Therefore, 150 participants (75 men and 75 women) responded to Alcohol Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test, Family-of-Origin Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Differentiation of Self Inventory. The results of this study showed that the health of original family and social support at the family level were directly negative predictors of the severity of addiction (P< 0.05). The differentiation was not a direct predictor of severity of addiction (P>0.05). The health of original family with the mediating role of differentiation of self was a negative predictor of severity of addiction (P <0.05). Social support at the family level with the mediating role of differentiation of self was not a negative predictor of the severity of addiction (P>0.05). In order to reduce the severity of addiction, it is necessary to improve the level of health of the original family, which leads to an increase in the degree of differentiation and, thus, decreases the severity of addiction. In addition, the promotion of the level of support provided by the family to these people is effective in reducing the severity of addiction.