Mohamad Hatami Nejad, Fazlolah Mir, Mohamadali Sepahvand,
Volume 23, Issue 4 (7-2024)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Addiction is a social issue and a fundamental health challenge which the average age of its onset has decreased. Psychological factors play a key role in predisposition to drug use. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the pathway of drug use readiness, considering anxiety sensitivity and sensation seeking with the mediating role of negative affectivity among students.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive study employed structural equations modeling. The statistical population comprised Lorestan University’s students during the academic year 2022-2023. Three-hundred and eighty four students met the inclusion criteria and were selected using the convenience sampling method. Research tools used included Floyd et al.’s Anxiety Sensitivity Scale, Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale, Watson et al.'s Negative Affectivity Assessment, and Weed et al.'s Addiction Readiness Scale. Data analysis was conducted through structural equations modeling.
Results: The findings indicated that anxiety sensitivity and excitement seeking had a direct, positive, and significant impact on drug use readiness with β=0.25 (p<0.001) and β=0.30 (p<0.001), respectively. Furthermore, anxiety sensitivity and sensation seeking were directly linked to negative affectivity with β=0.26 (p<0.001) and β=0.25 (p<0.001), respectively. Lastly, negative emotionality significantly and directly influenced the willingness to use drugs with β=0.29 (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The current study findings indicated that sensation seeking, anxiety sensitivity, and negative affectivity are the significant predictors of drug use. It is recommended that experts develop therapeutic and educational programs to enhance students' awareness and coping skills.
Keywords: Anxiety sensitivity, Excitement seeking, Negative affectivity, Readiness to use drugs, Students
Funding: This study did not have any funds.
Conflict of interest: None declared.
Ethical considerations: The Ethics Committee of Lorestan University of Medical Sciences approved the study (IR.LUMS.REC.1402.191).
Authors’ Contributions:
- Conceptualization: Mohamad Hatami Nejad, Fazlolah Mir
- Methodology: Mohamad Hatami Nejad, Fazlolah Mir, Mohamadali Sepahvandi
- Data Collection: Mohamad Hatami Nejad
- Formal analysis: Mohamad Hatami Nejad, Fazlolah Mir
- Supervision: Fazlolah Mir, Mohamadali Sepahvandi
- Project administration: Fazlolah Mir
- Writing – original draft: Mohamad Hatami Nejad
- Writing – review & editing: Mohamad Hatami Nejad, Fazlolah Mir, Mohamadali Sepahvandi
Citation: Hatami Nejad M, Mir F, Sepahvandi MA. Developing a Model of Readiness to Use Drugs in Lorestan University Students Based on Anxiety Sensitivity and Sensation Seeking with the Mediating Role of Negative Affectivity: A Descriptive Study. J Rafsanjan Univ Med Sci 2024; 23 (4): 222-36. [Farsi]