The role of identity crisis and emotional intelligence in predicting substance abuse among high-school students

BACKGROUND: This study was carried out aiming to investigate the identity crisis and emotional intelligence in prediction of addiction susceptibility among students. METHODS: This study was a correlational-descriptive design with the population consisting of all high school students of Tehran City, Iran, in 2017-2018. 358 high school students were selected by cluster sampling method. Instruments for gathering data were identity crisis questionnaire (Ahmadi), emotional intelligence questionnaire (Bradbury-Graves), and tendency to substance use scale. Then, the data were analyzed using SPSS software and statistical tests such as Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise regression analysis. RESULTS: Based on study findings, there was a statistically significant relationship between identity crisis and emotional intelligence with addiction susceptibility among students. In addition, the results of stepwise regression analysis indicated that social awareness, identity crisis, and relation management significantly predicted 26% of changes in addiction susceptibility. CONCLUSION: By designing psychological interventions based on these variables, one can diminish the probability of substance use in at-risk groups. Theoretical and practical implications of the results presented have been discussed.