The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training on Impulsivity and Problem-Solving Styles in Substance-Dependent Men

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness training on impulsivity and problem-solving styles in substance-dependent men. Method: The present study was quasi-experimental with pretest-posttest and follow up design with a control group. The statistical population of the study included all substance-dependent men referred to the residential addiction treatment center in Islamshahr in 2019 (n=123). Among them, a sample of 40 individuals was selected by purposive sampling method and randomly assigned into the experimental (n=20) and control (n=20) groups. Participants completed the impulsivity scale and the problem-solving styles questionnaire in pretest, posttest, and follow up. The experimental group underwent eight 60-minute sessions of mindfulness training, and the control group did not receive any intervention. The data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance. Results: The results showed that mindfulness training improved impulsivity and problem-solving styles in the posttest phase and this effect remained stable during follow up phase. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that mindfulness training can be used as an appropriate method to improve impulsivity and problem-solving styles in substance-dependent men, and thus reduces the harmful effects of addiction.