Factors predicting psychological flexibility in people with substance use disorder in northeastern Thailand
Keywords:
drug abstinence intention, internalized stigma, psychological flexibility, self-esteem, Thum-jai coping strategiesAbstract
Objective: To determine factors predicting psychological flexibility in people with substance use disorder (SUD).
Methods: Data from inpatients with SUD at Thanyarak hospital in northeastern region of Thailand were collected from March to December 2022. The research instruments included the Internalized Stigma of Substance Abuse Scale, the Drug Abstinence Intention Questionnaire, the Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale, the Thum-jai (Thai coping strategy) Scale, and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire of Substance Abuse (for psychological flexibility). Demographic data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, percentage, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson’s correlation and stepwise multiple regression).
Results: A total of 266 participants with a mean age of 32.1 years (SD = 10.1) completed the questionnaires. Most were male (86%) and metamphetamine (as a primary substance) users (61.3%). The level of psychological flexibility was significantly correlated with levels of internalized stigma (r = -.301, p < .01), drug abstinence intention (r = .277, p < .01), self-esteem (r = .430, p < .01) and Thum-jai coping (r = .362, p < .01). In the regression model, the statistically significant factors accounted for 27.5% of the variance of psychological flexibility (R2 = .275).
Conclusion: To improve psychological flexibility and reduce substance use relapse, people with SUD should receive interventions to reduce internalized stigma and strengthen self-esteem, drug abstinence intention, and adaptive coping strategies.
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