Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation in relation to Spirituality and High-risk Behavior in Adolescents with Addicted Parent(s)

Objective: The identification of effective components in preventing the progress of high-risk behaviors and its persistence. The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of emotion regulation in relation to spirituality and high-risk behaviors among adolescents with addicted parent(s). Method: A correlation research method along with structural equation was employed in this study. The research population consisted of adolescents with addicted parents who had presented to clinics and addiction treatment camps under the protection of State Welfare Organization of Isfahan in 2016. A sample of 225 units (134 males and 91 females) was selected via convenience sampling. The research instruments for data collection were Spiritual Orientation Questionnaire, Emotion Regulation Scale, and Risk-taking Scale of Iranian Adolescents. Results: Spirituality had a positive correlation with positive and adaptive emotion regulation and was negatively correlated with negative and maladaptive emotion regulation. Spirituality had also a negative relationship with high-risk behavior. The results of structural pattern showed that spirituality has an indirect effect on high-risk behaviors under the mediation of emotion regulation. Conclusion: Spirituality promotes the prevention of high-risk behaviors by directly affecting adaptive and positive emotion regulation.