Early maladaptive schemas, behavioral inhibition/approach systems, and defense styles in the abusers of opiate, stimulant, and cannabis drugs and healthy subjects

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to study the comparison of early maladaptive schemas (EMSs), behavioral inhibition/approach systems (BAS/BIS), and defense styles among the Iranian users of opiate, stimulant, and cannabis drugs and healthy subjects since July 2014 to August 2015. In a cross-sectional comparative design, 962 participants including 762 users of opiate (males = 256, females = 142), stimulant (males = 136, females = 112), and cannabis (males = 84, females = 32) drugs and 200 healthy subjects (males = 112, females = 88) were selected and completed the demographic questionnaire, Young Maladaptive Schemas Questionnaire-Short Form (YSQ-SF), Carver and White BIS/BAS scale, and Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40). The results indicated that in EMSs, BIS, BAS-reward responsiveness (BAS-RR), BAS-drive (BAS-D), and defense styles there were significant differences among four groups including opiate, stimulant, and cannabis drugs and healthy subjects. Also, the users of opiate in EMSs, BIS, and immature defense style, the stimulant users in BAS-D, BAS-RR, and neurotic defense style, and the healthy subjects in mature defense style revealed higher means. It is concluded that there were significant differences among the four groups in EMSs, BIS, BAS subscales, as well as maladaptive defense styles.