Structural Relations of the Tendency to Drug Abuse and Behavioral Inhibition/Activation Systems: Mediating Role of Personality Traits, Alexithymia and Attachment Styles

This study aimed at predicting the tendency to drug abuse based on personality traits, alexithymia, attachment styles and behavioral inhibition/activation systems. In   a sample of ۳۴۵ students,  selected from the students of  Islamic Azad University of Andimeshk, khozestan through stage random sampling method, the model for the path of drug abuse was investigated. Then each subject was asked to complete five questionnaires including  PS (APS), behavioral inhibition and activation system scale (BIS/BAS), short form NEO Personality Inventory (NEOPI- FF) ,Toronto Alexithymia  Scale(TAS-۲۰) attachment adult scale(RASS).The results showed that the predicting capacity of inhibition /activation system changed when the mediating variables were included.This indicated the mediating role of neuroticism, extraversion, agreeability, responsibility  and avoidance/ ambivalence attachment styles and alexithymia in the  behavioral  inhibition/activation systems and tendency to drug abuse. Behavioral activation system lead to the reduction of the tendency to drug abuse and behavioral inhibition system lead to the increase of the tendency to drug abuse. Neuroticism and ambivalent/avoidance attachment style, and alexithymia were the mechanisms reducing or increasing the effect of behavioral inhibition/activation systems on the tendency to drug abuse.

Keywords:

personality traits , attachment style , behavioral inhibition/activation system , alexithymia , tendency to drug abuse , ویژگی های شخصیت , سبک دلبستگی , سیستم بازداری/ فعالساز رفتاری , ناگویی هیجانی , گرایش به سوءمصرف مواد