Effectiveness of Group Schema Therapy on Aggressive Behaviors in Individuals with Substance Use Disorder

Background and Objective: Substance use disorder is recognized as one of the most significant issues impacting the youth population both globally and within our country, leading to psychological consequences alongside physical problems. Aggressive behaviors are among the behavioral complications resulting from substance abuse. This study was conducted to determine the effect of group schema therapy on aggressive behaviors in individuals with substance use disorder. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 42 male participants with substance use disorder at the Hirkanian Comprehensive Addiction Treatment Centerin Gorgan, Iran during 2021. An 8-session integrated schema therapy protocol was implemented in the experimental group. The schema therapy protocol included cognitive techniques (schema validity testing), assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of coping styles, experiential strategies, such as mental imagery and role-playing in the group, mindset dialogue, and identification and practice of healthy behaviors as alternative solutions to the most significant problematic behaviors. Scores on the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (1992) were compared between the control and intervention groups in the pre-test and post-test phases. Results: The mean and standard deviation of post-test aggression scores in the experimental group (79.619±12.212) significantly decreased compared to the control group (107.476±7.890) (P<0.05). Conclusion: Schema therapy was found to be effective in reducing aggressive behaviors in individuals with substance use disorder.