Document Type : Research articles
Authors
1
Assistant Lecturer Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University
2
Professor Psychiatric Medicine and Neuropsychiatric, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University
3
Professor Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University
4
Assistant Professor Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University
Abstract
Background: Substance use disorders (SUDs) are considered a chronic, relapsing
problem that affects a significant proportion of people all over the world. Negative
emotions such as anger and depression are common predictors of substance use
hindering the recovery process. Therefore, the current approaches in substance use
treatment programs attempt to teach patients to manage or express their negative
emotions , rather than decreasing these negative emotions. Objective: To assess the
effect of forgiveness therapy (FT) on negative emotions and the probability of relapse
among clients with substance use disorders during the rehabilitation phase. Settings:
The study was conducted at the outpatient clinics of the Arab Center for Psychiatry
and Addiction Treatment in Alexandria. Subjects: A convenient sample of 40
outpatients diagnosed with SUDs. The sample was divided into two groups (20
patients each). Tools: The Enright Forgiveness Inventory (EFI-30), the Structure
State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (SSTAEI), the Beck Depression Inventory-
Second Edition (BDI-II), and The AWARE Questionnaire (Advance WArning of
RElapse) were used in this study. Results: There was a significant improvement in the
total score of the Enright Forgiveness Inventory between the study and the control
groups from the pre-intervention test compared to the immediate posttest with
a statistically significant difference (t=0.708, p=0.000). Furthermore, the study group
exhibited significantly lower scores at the immediate post-intervention score
compared to the pre-intervention test regarding the state and the trait anger (t=7.343,
p=0.000, and t=6.490, p=0.000; respectively), depression (t=23.344, p=0.000), and
relapse (t= 29.547, P= 0.000). Conclusion: Forgiveness Therapy was found to be
effective in reducing anger, depression, and the probability of relapse among clients
with SUDs. These improvements can enhance rehabilitation, and resolve past
injustices associated with anger and resentment, thus preventing relapse.
Recommendations: Psychiatric nurses must consider incorporating FT intervention
as a crucial component in the care of clients with SUDs.
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