Structural modeling of family communication patterns and deficits in executive functioning with tendency to high-risk behaviors (Drug use, smoking and alcohol consumption): The mediating role of corona anxiety

The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of corona anxiety in the relationship between family communication patterns and deficits in executive functioning with tendency to high-risk behaviors. The research method was correlation of the type structural equation modeling. The population of this study included all Undergraduate students Poldokhtar Higher Education Center who were studying in the academic year 2021-2022. The statistical sample size was determined based on the rules of thumb Kline equal to 225 people, which was done by available sampling method and online questionnaire. The instruments used in this study were Corona Disease Anxiety Scale, Iranian Adolescents Risk Taking Scale, Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale and Family Communication Patterns. Data analysis was performed using by the SPSS-22, and AMOS-24 software. The results showed that the deficits in executive functioning has a direct relationship on the tendency to high-risk behaviors and an indirect effect on the tendency to high-risk behaviors due to corona anxiety. Conversation orientation had no direct effect on tendency to high-risk behaviors, but had an indirect effect on tendency to high-risk behaviors due to corona anxiety. Conformity orientation had no direct or indirect effect through anxiety on the tendency to high-risk behaviors. In addition, corona anxiety had a direct effect on the tendency to high-risk behaviors. In general, increased deficits in executive functioning and conversation orientation increases corona anxiety, which leads people to use drugs, cigarettes and alcohol to deal with the negative effects of this epidemic and the resulting anxiety.