Abstract
Background. Substance use disorder is often accompanied by high levels of psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, and stress, which can interfere with the treatment process and recovery of patients. In this context, resilience plays a crucial role in individuals’ adaptation to stressful conditions and in reducing psychological vulnerability. Despite the significance of this construct, empirical evidence regarding the role of resilience in explaining differences in psychological distress among individuals with substance use disorder remains limited. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine differences in psychological distress based on levels of resilience in individuals with substance use disorder.
Methods. This study employed a descriptive–analytical research design with a causal–comparative (ex post facto) approach.To assess sample size adequacy, a power analysis indicated that the required sample size for conducting MANOVA was lower than the actual sample size of the present study. Therefore, the sample of 195 participants was considered sufficient for the statistical analyses .The instruments included the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Levene’s test, and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).
Results. The results of multivariate analysis of variance indicated a significant overall effect of resilience on psychological distress among patients with substance use disorder (Wilks’ Lambda = 0.755, F(3, 191) = 20.70, p < .001, partial η² = 0.245). Follow-up univariate analyses showed that individuals with high resilience reported significantly lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress compared to those with low resilience. Moreover, the mean scores of depression, anxiety, and stress were significantly higher in the low-resilience group, with moderate to large effect sizes.
Conclusion. The findings of the present study indicate that resilience plays a significant and meaningful role in psychological distress among patients with substance use disorder and can be considered an important protective factor for their mental health. Practical Implications. The results highlight the necessity of focusing on resilience enhancement in therapeutic interventions, rehabilitation programs, and prevention strategies. Promoting resilience may help reduce depression, anxiety, and stress, thereby improving treatment effectiveness and overall mental health in individuals with substance use disorder.