The Effectiveness of Narrative Therapy Approaches Through Group Counseling on Self-Control and Social Adaptation in Patients with Substance Use Disorders

Abstract

Introduction: The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of narrative therapy delivered through group counseling on self-control and social adaptation in patients with substance use disorders. Methods: The statistical population of this research included all patients with substance use disorders who attended addiction treatment centers in Qeshm County. The sample consisted of 30 patients, who were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The narrative therapy approach was implemented through group counseling in eight sessions for the experimental group, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using Tangney et al’s Self-Control Questionnaire and Bell’s Social Adaptation Questionnaire. Results: The results of multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) indicated a significant difference between the posttest mean scores of the control and experimental groups on the dependent variables of self-control and social adaptation in patients with substance use disorders. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the independent variable (narrative therapy delivered through group counseling) had a significant effect on the dependent variables of self-control and social adaptation in patients with substance use disorders. This resulted in a significant difference between the control and experimental groups and led to improvements in self-control and social adaptation among the patients.