The Effect of Group Training on Theory of Mind in the Male Outpatient Addicted People for Treatment

The theory of mind ability underlies the human ability to make complex social interactions. In this study, differences in the theory of mind ability of people with substance dependence and a normal group, and the effect of group training of this ability on addicted people were assessed. In this research, causal-comparative and semi experimental with a pretest and posttest method with a control group were used.  For this purpose, 36 male subjects who referred for outpatient addiction treatment center and 36 healthy male people were selected and Baron- Chohen’s Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test was administrated in both groups. The group of drug dependence was divided into two groups of 18 people as experimental and control groups. For experimental group, group training sessions were conducted in 24 sessions. Ultimately, test of mind reading was administered as post-test to both groups. Data were analyzed by t-test and one-way analysis of covariance. Data analysis showed that both healthy and dependent groups had significant differences in theory of mind (P <0/05). Moreover, after theory of mind training implementation, along with other current treatments, experimental group scores differed significantly from the control group (P <0/05). The study indicated that the group training increased the theory of mind scores, so, this kind of training could be the part of therapy of individuals with a substance abuse disorders. The theory of mind ability underlies the human ability to make complex social interactions. In this study, differences in the theory of mind ability of people with substance dependence and a normal group, and the effect of group training of this ability on addicted people were assessed. In this research, causal-comparative and semi experimental with a pretest and posttest method with a control group were used.  For this purpose, 36 male subjects who referred for outpatient addiction treatment center and 36 healthy male people were selected and Baron- Chohen’s Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test was administrated in both groups. The group of drug dependence was divided into two groups of 18 people as experimental and control groups. For experimental group, group training sessions were conducted in 24 sessions. Ultimately, test of mind reading was administered as post-test to both groups. Data were analyzed by t-test and one-way analysis of covariance. Data analysis showed that both healthy and dependent groups had significant differences in theory of mind (P <0/05). Moreover, after theory of mind training implementation, along with other current treatments, experimental group scores differed significantly from the control group (P <0/05). The study indicated that the group training increased the theory of mind scores, so, this kind of training could be the part of therapy of individuals with a substance abuse disorders.