The Effectiveness of Meta-Cognitive Therapy on the Extent of Addiction-Proneness in University Students

Considering that meta-cognitive beliefs play a very important role in the prevention, preservation and continuity of addiction, this study aimed to determine the effectiveness of meta-cognitive group therapy (MCT) on the extent of addiction-proneness in male university students. This study was a quasi-experimental project with pretest-posttest, a control group and follow-up. The statistic population consisted of all the male Bachelor's students of the Mashhad Ferdowsi University, Iran in the academic year 2016-17. The sample was 30 students selected and assigned randomly to an experimental or control group. Data were collected using a meta-cognition questionnaire (MCQ-30) and the addiction potential scale (APS). Statistical tests included analysis of covariance and the dependent t-test. Covariance and post-test addictive potential scores showed that MCT could desirably affect the addiction-proneness of university male students (p<0.01). Based on the findings it can be concluded that metacognitive therapy can reduce the addiction proneness of male university student, the effect lasting for three months. Therefore, it is recommended that responsible authorities in the health sector use meta-cognitive therapy for addiction prevention and resumption.