Prediction of Risk-Taking Behaviors Based on the Role of Perceived Social Support Components, Emotional Expression and Brain- Behavioral Systems in Addications

Introduction: The prevalence of risk-taking behaviors in communities is one of the serious health threats and has been considered in recent years due to rapid social change by health organizations, law enforcement and social policymakers. The purpose of this study was to predict risk-taking behaviors based on the role of perceived social support components, emotional expression and brain- behavioral systems in addicts. Materials and Methods: This research was done by descriptive-correlational method. The statistical population of the present study included 113 addicts who were leaving in addiction treatment centers of Ardabil city in the year 2018-19. The sampling method in this study was convenience sampling. The instruments used included Risk-Taking Behaviors Questionnaire, Multiple Scale of Perceived Social Support, Emotional Expressiveness Questionnaire, and Brain-Behavioral Systems Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis. Findings: The results showed that there is a significant negative correlation between perceived social support from family, friends and others with risk-taking behaviors of addicts (P <0.01). There is a significant positive correlation between negative emotional expression and risk-taking behaviors of addicts among emotional expressiveness components (P <0.01) and among the components of brain-behavioral systems, there is a significant positive correlation between behavioral activation system and risk-taking behaviors (P <0.01). Also, the results of regression analysis revealed that approximately 19% of the total variance of risk-taking behaviors of addicts was predicted based on perceived social support components, emotional expression and brain-behavioral systems (P <0.001). Conclusion: In general, perceived social support from family and friends, negative emotional expression, and behavioral activation system are able to predict risk-taking behaviors of addicts. Therefore, providing group training and individual counseling related to the promotion of perceived social support and emotional expressions as well as attention to biological dimensions such as behavioral activation system to reduce the incidence of risk-taking behaviors among addicts is effective.