Prediction of Addiction Potential Using Developmental Assets in Adolescents

Substance abuse disorder or addiction is complex behavioral problems arising from many interacting factors, including social, cultural, environmental, psychological and biological. Therefore, the aim of this study was prediction of addiction potential using developmental assets in adolescents.

Methods and Materials:

 This study was a descriptive-correlational research. To achieve this purpose, 500 students (250 boys, 250 girls) of 10 and 11 grades in Arak were selected by stage cluster sampling. The participants completed Iranian Addiction Preparedness Scale (IAPS) and Developmental Assets Profile (DAP). Data were analyzed by SPSS software, using Pearson correlation and regression analysis.

The results showed that there is a significant relationship between developmental assets and its dimensions with addiction potential and its components in adolescents (p<.05). Also, developmental assets and its dimensions predict the addiction potential and its components (p<.05).

Results of present study showed that developmental assets an important role in predicting addiction potential in adolescents. Therefore, consideration of these predictive variables by researchers, specialists, therapists, and planners seems necessary to prevent drug substance abuse disorder or addiction.