The Effectiveness of Group Training Problem-solving Skills on Soldiers' Addiction Potential

The impact of addiction on individual, family and social dimensions requires the identification of its predictive and preventive factors in individuals, especially soldiers. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of group problem solving skills training on soldiers' drug addiction potential.

The research method was quasi-experimental with pre-test and post-test with control group. The study population included all soldiers in one of the training camps (garrison) of NAJA in Kermanshah in summer 2017. The sampling method was based on availability. After conduction the Mac Andrew scale on soldiers, 36 participants who achieved more than the cut-off point of 34 were selected as the study sample. Then they were randomly divided into two groups (18 in each group). In the pre-test, soldiers completed the Weed & Butcher Addiction Potential Scale. Then, problem solving skills training was conducted for the experimental group for 8 sessions, two sessions per week (two hours) and no program was performed for the control group during this period. At the end of the sessions, both groups were simultaneously administered post-test using Weed & Butcher Addiction Potential Scale and data were analyzed by SPSS-18 software.

Mean of pre-test of addiction potential scale were 42.5±4.5 for experimental group and 42±6.1 for control group while the Mean of post-test of addiction potential scale were 31.2±5.5 for experimental group and 40.1±5.2 for control group, which indicates that problem solving training was effective in reducing potential for addiction. The results of analysis of covariance showed that the mean scores of addiction potential in the experimental group were significantly decreased by the training intervention (p=0.001, F=37.7), with a mean effect size of 0.52. Accordingly, group training problem solving skills accounts for 52% of the total variance of the addiction potential variable. Also, the statistical power of 1.00 indicates the sample size is sufficient. 

Training on problem solving skills by increasing psychological capacity helps soldiers to reduce their tendency to addiction by adapting to the environment. Therefore, it is suggested that problem solving skills training be included in the training program for soldiers in the barracks.