Relationship Between Lifestyle and Family Functioning Among Family Members of Amphetamine Abusers in Southeast Iran.

INTRODUCTION

Drug abuse is a social event and one of the worse health problems in the current age. Nowadays, the inclination of young people has changed from traditional drugs to more sophisticated and industrial drugs such as ecstasy, glass, and crack. Increasing drug abuse can be sought in families' lifestyles as an effective factor on individuals' health. The disturbance in family functioning can be associated with an individual's antisocial behaviors like addiction. Therefore, the current study is aimed at determining the relationship between lifestyle and family functioning of family members of patients with amphetamine abuse who referred to drug rehabilitation clinics in Southeast Iran.

METHOD: This is a correlational descriptive study conducted on 196 family members of patients with amphetamine abuse who referred to drug rehabilitation clinics in Southeast Iran. Data were collected through the use of demographic, family functioning, and lifestyle questionnaires. Data analysis was performed with SPSS 19 using independent t test, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation coefficient test.

RESULTS

The total mean score of lifestyle was observed to be 105.77 ± 24.39. Among the dimensions of lifestyle, the highest mean score was associated with health responsibility (26.28 ± 7.43), whereas the lowest mean score was associated with exercise (12.7 ± 5.1). In addition, the results showed that the total mean score of family functioning was 129.25 ± 20.97. Among the dimensions of family functioning, the highest mean score was associated with general functioning (26.07 ± 4.92), whereas the lowest mean score was associated with affective responsiveness (13.16 ± 2.88). There was a positive and significant relationship between lifestyle and family functioning, such that the increase in the mean score of lifestyle increased the score of family functioning (r = .34, p = .001).

CONCLUSION

Because lifestyle is associated with family functioning of patients with amphetamine abuse, basic measures can be taken in families to prevent addiction by increasing information to families, which enhances their lifestyle and functioning.