The role of Anhedonia and low arousal in substance use disorder among adolescents with conduct disorder symptoms

Background: During of adolescence, transformations in neural circuitry of brain's reward system can lead to vulnerability which paves the way for involvement in criminal and addictive behaviors. Some of mental disorders e.g., conduct disorder because of their special nature are more comorbid with substance use disorders. Objectives: This study aimed to study the role of anhedonia and low arousal in substance use disorders among adolescents with conduct disorder symptoms. Methods: The present correlational study was conducted in 2021 in Tabriz, Iran. In present study 784 adolescents with CD at juvenile detention centers (JDC) with 13 to17 years participated. After the attrition, remained 436 adolescents. The sampling method of present study was Convenience sampling. To collect of data, we used the Substance Abuse Scale, Conduct Disorder Rating Scale, Self-Assessment Anhedonia Scale and How I Feel scale. After ethical approval and signed informed consent, the questionnaires distributed between participants. After collecting of questionnaires, data for analysis entered to SPSS software Ver.23. Results: APS with physical anhedonia (r= 0.226, P<0.01), intellectual anhedonia (r= 0.221, P<0.01), social anhedonia (r= 0.236, P<0.01), negative emotion (r= 0.211, P<0.01) had a significant and straight correlation. Indeed, with increasing of anhedonia and low arousal, substance use is increase.  On the other hand, APS had a significant and reversal correlation with positive emotion (r= -0.173, P<0.05) and positive and negative emotion control (r= -0.197, P<0.01). That is, less positive emotion and weak control of positive and negative emotions lead to substance use disorder between adolescents with conduct disorder. Conclusion: Impulsive behaviors (e.g., substance use disorder) are a response to low arousal and anhedonia among adolescents with CD symptoms to relieve of their negative emotions and strengthen of their low arousal.