Effectiveness of Matrix Structured Therapy on Morbid Narcissism, Craving, Self-Efficacy to Quit, Distress Tolerance, and Mindfulness in Stimulant Users

The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of matrix structured therapy on morbid narcissism, craving, self-efficacy to quit, distress tolerance, and mindfulness in stimulant users.

The current study was semi-experimental with pretest-posttest and follow-up design with a control group. Statistical population included all stimulant-dependent patients referring to addiction treatment centers in the city of Ahvaz in 2021, of which 40 people were enrolled using the convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to two experimental (n = 20) and control groups (n = 20). The participants of both groups completed the pathological narcissism inventory, the desire for drug questionnaire, the quit addiction self-efficacy questionnaire, the distress tolerance scale, and the mindful attention awareness scale in three stages of pretest, posttest, and two-month follow-up. The experimental group underwent matrix structured therapy in fourteen 90-minute sessions with the frequency of two sessions per week. The data were analyzed with covariance analysis with repeated measurement.

The results showed that the matrix structured therapy reduced morbid narcissism and craving and increased self-efficacy to quit, distress tolerance, and mindfulness in the experimental group. The obtained results also remained in the two-month follow-up phase.

Based on the results of the current research, matrix structured therapy is effective in reducing morbid narcissism and craving and increasing self-efficacy to quit, distress tolerance, and mindfulness.