Comparison of the effectiveness of schema therapy and problem solving skills training on mental well-being (life satisfaction and positive and negative emotions) of married men abusing drugs

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of schema therapy and problem solving skills training on the mental well-being of abusers in addiction treatment centers in Sarpol-e Zahab.

The method of the present study was a quasi-experimental design with pretest-posttest and follow-up period with two experimental nodes and a control group. The statistical population of the study included all married addicted men referred to addiction treatment centers in Sarpol-e Zahab city in 1397-98 that 60 people were selected by available sampling and divided into three groups (20 experimental groups 1 and 20 experimental groups 2 and 20 control groups). Substituted randomly, all three groups were first assessed with the Life Satisfaction Scale (SWLS), Diner et al. (1985); Both experimental groups underwent 12 sessions of 90 minutes under the intervention of Young, Closco, & Wieshar (2003) Schema Therapy and Dixon & Clover, 1984, and the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were analyzed using mixed variance analysis of repeated measures.

The results showed the effect of schema therapy intervention on negative emotions (F = 24.48, P = 0.001), positive emotions (F = 31.84, P = 0.001) and life satisfaction (= 3.82). F, P = 0.081) and problem solving skills intervention on negative emotions (F = 29.74, P = 0.001), positive emotions (F = 21.58, P = 0.001) and life satisfaction ( F = 4.46, P = 0.041) and the stability of this effect was in the follow-up stage.

According to the results of the study, it can be concluded that schema therapy and problem solving skills can be used by therapists as preferential therapies in the interventions of drug users.