Social Psychology Research

Abstract Introduction: The aim of present study was to investigate the mediating role of social support in relationship between negative emotions with craving and relapse rate in substance dependent subjects with relapse.
Method: The method of research was descriptive correlational and structural equation modeling. The sample population consisted of 130 opiate addicts in Zahedan addiction treatment clinics. They were selected by simple random sampling. In order to collect the data, Social Support Appraisal Scale (SSAS), Negative Emotions (DASS- 21) and Relapse Prediction Scale (RPS) were used. The data were analyzed using stepwise regression, structural equation modeling, SPSS 23 and Smart-PLS soft wares.
Results: The results showed that there was a significant correlation between research variables. Depression and anxiety predicted craving and stress predicted relapse rate in substance dependent subjects with relapse (p<0.05), also structural equation modeling revealed that social support has a significant negative effect on relapse prediction and decreases the effect of negative emotions on relapse prediction. Social support acts as restrain while negative emotions have a positive influence on relapse prediction (p<0.05) and increase relapse in opium addicts.
Conclusion: Nowadays, addiction is one of the global issues and concern. Since human is a social creature, he or she needs to have relationship with other people and need their help and support. Therefore, social support as well as psychological health enhancement act as a shield against post treatment relapse. Creating social support for addicts who are in treatment is one of the important elements in decreasing crave and substance withdrawal.