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Comparison of Lay Beliefs about Symptoms, Causes and Cures of Addiction among Self-Referred Addicts, NA Members, and Non-Addict Males
Mohsen Golparvar, Ph.D.*, Islamic Azad University, Khorasgan
Flor Khayatan, M.A., Science & Research Branch- Islamic Azad University, Tehran
Manoochehr Kamkar, Ph.D., Islamic Azad University, Khorasgan
Abstract: This research was administered with the aim of comparing lay beliefs about symptoms, causes, and cures of addiction between self-referred addicts, NA members and non-addict males. For this purpose, 150 participants were randomly selected from self - referred male addicts referring to the Outpatient Cessation Centre of Addiction in Isfahan in May-June 2006. Also, 150 male members of NA, who managed to participate in the three months research period of the association, and 150 non-addict males in the same age and regional residence as the self referred addicts were selected using simple random sampling for comparison. Research instruments consisted of a demographic questionnaire and Furnhum and Thompson’s (1996) Lay Beliefs Questionnaire. The reliability and validity of the Lay Beliefs Questionnaire were studied and verified. This questionnaire has three subscales: beliefs about symptoms, beliefs about causes of addiction, and beliefs regarding cures for addiction. Data were analyzed using the Manova and LSD post-hoc test. Results showed significant differences among different groups as follows: in overall scores of symptoms of NA members and the non-addict group in the onset of addiction (from symptoms subscale); self-referred addicts and the NA group, non-addicts, and the NA group and, non-addicts with antisocial tendencies (another subscale of symptoms); self-referred addicts and the NA, and NA members and non-addicts in symptoms and family conditions (another subscale of symptoms); self-referred addicts from the NA, non-addicts, and NA members from the non-addict group in immoral tendencies (another subscale of symptoms); among self-referred addicts and the NA, and non-addicts, and NA members from the non-addict group. In causes of addiction subscale, Manova and LSD post-hoc test revealed significant differences among self-referred addicts, non-addicts, and NA members. In cures of addiction subscale, results of Manova and LSD post-hoc test showed a significant difference among self-referred addicts, NA members, and non- addicts.
Keywords: Lay beliefs; Symptoms of addiction; Causes of addiction; Cures for addiction; Self-referred addicts; NA members; Addicts
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