Background: It is widely acknowledged that drug addiction is characterized by emotional dysregulation. Relatively few studies in this field, however, have focused on early adulthood. Aim: The present study aims to assess emotional functioning in young adults (aged 18-24) with drug addiction who have already been admitted to residential treatment. Methods: A group of young drug addicts admitted to residential treatment (N=41) was compared with a group of young adults without Substance Use Disorder (N=27). A series of psychological self-report questionnaires on emotional functioning, Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 item, Sensation Seeking Scale–VI, Emotional Quotient Inventory and Observer Alexithymia Scale were administered. Descriptive and nonparametric analyses (Pearson’s chi square test, Mann-Whitney U test, and McNemar test) were performed. Results: High rates of alexithymia emerged from the administration of the observer scale, in contradiction with the self-report evaluation; also, past experiences related to sensation seeking and inadequate emotional intelligence abilities were identified as characteristics of this clinical group. Conclusions: Our results suggest that drug dependence in young adults is characterized by difficulties in emotional regulation, indicating the importance of specific and new treatment methodologies

Drug addiction and emotional dysregulation in young adults

PAROLIN, MICOL;SIMONELLI, ALESSANDRA;
2017

Abstract

Background: It is widely acknowledged that drug addiction is characterized by emotional dysregulation. Relatively few studies in this field, however, have focused on early adulthood. Aim: The present study aims to assess emotional functioning in young adults (aged 18-24) with drug addiction who have already been admitted to residential treatment. Methods: A group of young drug addicts admitted to residential treatment (N=41) was compared with a group of young adults without Substance Use Disorder (N=27). A series of psychological self-report questionnaires on emotional functioning, Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 item, Sensation Seeking Scale–VI, Emotional Quotient Inventory and Observer Alexithymia Scale were administered. Descriptive and nonparametric analyses (Pearson’s chi square test, Mann-Whitney U test, and McNemar test) were performed. Results: High rates of alexithymia emerged from the administration of the observer scale, in contradiction with the self-report evaluation; also, past experiences related to sensation seeking and inadequate emotional intelligence abilities were identified as characteristics of this clinical group. Conclusions: Our results suggest that drug dependence in young adults is characterized by difficulties in emotional regulation, indicating the importance of specific and new treatment methodologies
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Drug addiction and emotional dysregulation.pdf

accesso aperto

Descrizione: Articolo
Tipologia: Published (publisher's version)
Licenza: Accesso libero
Dimensione 558.36 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
558.36 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11577/3233228
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 15
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 13
  • OpenAlex ND
social impact