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Avicenna J Neuro Psycho Physiology 2025, 12(1): 53-58 |
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Dashtbozorg K, Marashian F S. Predicting Addiction Propensity Based on Familial Emotional Climate, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation, and Distress Tolerance among University Students. Avicenna J Neuro Psycho Physiology 2025; 12 (1) :53-58
URL: http://ajnpp.umsha.ac.ir/article-1-523-en.html
URL: http://ajnpp.umsha.ac.ir/article-1-523-en.html
1- Department of Psychology, Ahv.C., Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran
2- Department of Psychology, Ahv.C., Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran ,fsadatmarashian@gmail.com
2- Department of Psychology, Ahv.C., Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran ,
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Table 2. Stepwise multiple regression analysis predicting addiction propensity
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Background
Addiction constitutes a salient public health concern, notably affecting university students during a critical developmental period characterized by increased autonomy and exposure to diverse stressors [1]. The prevalence of both substance use and behavioral addictions, including problematic internet use and gambling, has been escalating within this demographic, with research suggesting that approximately 20%-30% of university students report engaging in risky substance use behaviors [2]. The transition to university frequently entails navigating academic pressures, social integration, and the formation of personal identity, the factors that can amplify susceptibility to addiction. Furthermore, the psychological and social determinants of addiction propensity are multifaceted, involving intricate interactions between individual characteristics and environmental contexts [3]. A comprehensive understanding of these determinants is paramount for the development of targeted interventions aimed at reducing addiction risks among university students, a population particularly vulnerable due to their specific developmental stage and situational circumstances [4].
The familial emotional climate, encompassing the prevailing emotional tone and the nature of interpersonal exchanges within a family system, exerts a marked impact on the development of individuals' psychological resilience and their susceptibility to maladaptive behaviors, including addiction [5]. A supportive familial emotional climate, characterized by warmth, transparent communication, and emotional cohesion, has been consistently linked to decreased risks of both substance use and behavioral addictions [6]. On the contrary, a negative familial emotional climate—distinguished by conflict, emotional neglect, or inconsistent parenting practices—can amplify vulnerability to addiction by promoting emotional dysregulation and adopting maladaptive coping strategies [7]. Contemporary research underscores the significant predictive capacity of family dynamics regarding substance use outcomes in young adults, with dysfunctional family environments contributing to elevated stress levels and diminished emotional security [8]. For university students, who may experience physical separation from their families yet remain subject to established emotional patterns, the familial emotional climate persists as a salient determinant of their psychological adjustment and addiction propensity [9].
Difficulties in emotion regulation, defined as impairments in effectively managing and responding to emotional experiences, are increasingly acknowledged as a critical risk factor for addiction [10]. These difficulties encompass such daunting challenges as an inability to modulate intense emotions, a limited repertoire of adaptive coping strategies, and diminished emotional awareness [11]. The recent studies have consistently demonstrated that individuals exhibiting greater emotion regulation deficits are more prone to engagement in substance use as a maladaptive means of alleviating negative affect [12]. Within the university student population, who frequently encounter stressors, such as academic demands and social pressures, these deficits can amplify vulnerability to addiction. For instance, a longitudinal study revealed that emotion regulation difficulties mediated the association between stress and problematic alcohol consumption among college students [13]. These findings underscore the significant role of emotion regulation as a psychological mechanism mediating the pathway from environmental stressors to addiction outcomes [14].
Distress tolerance, defined as the perceived or actual capacity to endure negative emotional or physical states, represents another crucial determinant of addiction propensity [15]. Diminished distress tolerance is associated with a strong inclination to seek immediate relief through substance use or other addictive behaviors as a means of escaping aversive emotional experiences [16]. Research indicates that university students exhibiting low distress tolerance face an elevated risk of developing substance use disorders, as they possess fewer resources to manage emotional discomfort without resorting to maladaptive coping mechanisms [17]. A recent meta-analysis corroborated the negative correlation between distress tolerance and addiction severity, with lower tolerance levels predicting a greater reliance on substances to manage distress [18]. For university students, who frequently encounter novel and intense stressors, distress tolerance functions as a protective factor against the development of addictive behaviors, underscoring its relevance for prevention initiatives [19].
Despite the expanding literature on addiction, a need persists to integrate familial and individual psychological determinants for a comprehensive understanding of addiction propensity among university students. Although prior investigations have examined these factors in isolation, fewer studies have explored their combined predictive capacity within a unified framework, particularly in non-Western settings. The interaction among familial emotional climate, difficulties in emotion regulation, and distress tolerance likely exerts a synergistic influence on addiction risk; nonetheless, empirical evidence regarding their relative contributions remains limited. Addressing this gap is essential for informing evidence-based interventions that target both family dynamics and individual emotional competencies. Moreover, the cultural and developmental specificities of university students necessitate context-sensitive research to ensure the generalizability of findings across diverse populations.
Objectives
In light of the aforementioned issues, the current study sought to assess the predictive power of familial emotional climate, difficulties in emotion regulation, and distress tolerance concerning the likelihood of addiction among university students.
Materials and Methods
This study adopted a descriptive, correlational design to investigate addiction propensity (criterion variable) as predicted by familial emotional climate, difficulties in emotion regulation, and distress tolerance (predictor variables). The target population consisted of all students aged 18 to 25 years enrolled at the Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz branch, during the 2023 academic year. Participants (n=168) were recruited using convenience sampling from the 180 distributed questionnaires, after excluding incomplete or spoiled submissions. The inclusion criteria mandated current enrollment at the specified university during the study period and being within the 18-25 age range. On the other hand, the exclusion criteria encompassed questionnaires with more than 10% unanswered items, indications of random or insincere responses, or participants with a documented clinical diagnosis of substance use disorder.
Instruments
Addiction Potential Scale (APS)
The APS, originally developed by Weed et al. [20], comprises 41 items, including 36 core items and 5 lie detection items, designed to assess an individual's propensity for addiction. Responses are rated on a 4-point Likert scale, ranging from 0 (strongly disagree) to 3 (strongly agree), with total scores ranging from 0-180. Higher scores reflect a greater predisposition to addictive behaviors. Shafikhani et al. [21] reported a reliability coefficient of 0.83 for this scale. In the present study, the APS illustrated strong internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.78.
Family Emotional Climate Questionnaire (FECQ)
The FECQ, developed by Hill Burn, was employed to evaluate the emotional environment within families. This measure includes 16 items organized into eight subscales (love, caress, affirmation, shared experiences, gift-giving, encouragement, trust, and sense of security), with each subscale comprising two items. Participants respond using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = very low to 5 = very high), indicating their perceptions of the family emotional climate. The FECQ has exhibited strong internal consistency, with Yousefi and Pariyad [22] reporting a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.94. In the current study, the questionnaire exhibited satisfactory reliability, yielding a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.86.
Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)
The CERQ, developed by Garnefski and Kraaij [23], is a 36-item instrument designed to assess cognitive emotion regulation strategies. These strategies are categorized into adaptive and maladaptive types. Adaptive strategies include subscales, such as putting into perspective, positive refocusing, positive reappraisal, acceptance, and planning, while maladaptive strategies encompass self-blame, other-blame, rumination, and catastrophizing. Responses are rated based on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = never, 2 = sometimes, 3 = usually, 4 = often, 5 = always). The reliability of the CERQ was established by Abdi et al. [24], who reported a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.82. In the current study, the CERQ exhibited robust internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.80.
Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS)
The DTS, developed by Simons and Gaher in 2005, is a 15-item self-report measure designed to evaluate an individual’s capacity to tolerate emotional distress. The scale is organized into four subscales: tolerance, absorption, appraisal, and regulation. The items are rated based on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Agree to 5 = Strongly Disagree), with item 6 being reverse-scored. Total scores range from 15 to 75, where higher scores indicate greater distress tolerance [25]. The Persian version of the DTS, validated by Azizi [26] in Iran, demonstrated acceptable internal consistency, with subscale reliability coefficients ranging from 0.74 to 0.85. In the present study, the DTS illustrated strong internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.85.
Data analysis
The collected data were subjected to analysis using both descriptive statistics, including means and standard deviations, and inferential statistics, namely Pearson's correlation coefficient and stepwise regression. All statistical procedures were performed using SPSS software (version 27). The threshold for statistical significance was established at P<0.05.
Results
The study sample comprised 168 students within the age range of 18-25 years. These participants, recruited through convenience sampling, were primarily undergraduate students (78%) and exhibited a gender distribution of 54% female and 46% male. The majority of participants (62%) reported hailing from urban backgrounds, and approximately 85% indicated living away from their parental homes, residing in either university dormitories or independent accommodations.
Table 1 presents descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations) for the study variables alongside the Pearson correlation coefficients examining the relationships between addiction propensity and the predictor variables. The correlation analysis revealed significant associations between addiction propensity and all predictor variables. Specifically, familial emotional climate demonstrated a strong, negative correlation with addiction propensity (r=−0.59; P<0.001), indicating an inverse relationship where a more positive familial emotional environment corresponded with lower addiction propensity. Conversely, difficulties in emotion regulation exhibited a significant positive correlation with addiction propensity (r=0.50; P<0.001), suggesting that greater challenges in managing emotions were associated with increased addiction risk. Finally, distress tolerance displayed a significant negative correlation with addiction propensity (r=−0.49; P<0.001), implying that a higher capacity to tolerate distress was associated with a reduced likelihood of addiction.
The familial emotional climate, encompassing the prevailing emotional tone and the nature of interpersonal exchanges within a family system, exerts a marked impact on the development of individuals' psychological resilience and their susceptibility to maladaptive behaviors, including addiction [5]. A supportive familial emotional climate, characterized by warmth, transparent communication, and emotional cohesion, has been consistently linked to decreased risks of both substance use and behavioral addictions [6]. On the contrary, a negative familial emotional climate—distinguished by conflict, emotional neglect, or inconsistent parenting practices—can amplify vulnerability to addiction by promoting emotional dysregulation and adopting maladaptive coping strategies [7]. Contemporary research underscores the significant predictive capacity of family dynamics regarding substance use outcomes in young adults, with dysfunctional family environments contributing to elevated stress levels and diminished emotional security [8]. For university students, who may experience physical separation from their families yet remain subject to established emotional patterns, the familial emotional climate persists as a salient determinant of their psychological adjustment and addiction propensity [9].
Difficulties in emotion regulation, defined as impairments in effectively managing and responding to emotional experiences, are increasingly acknowledged as a critical risk factor for addiction [10]. These difficulties encompass such daunting challenges as an inability to modulate intense emotions, a limited repertoire of adaptive coping strategies, and diminished emotional awareness [11]. The recent studies have consistently demonstrated that individuals exhibiting greater emotion regulation deficits are more prone to engagement in substance use as a maladaptive means of alleviating negative affect [12]. Within the university student population, who frequently encounter stressors, such as academic demands and social pressures, these deficits can amplify vulnerability to addiction. For instance, a longitudinal study revealed that emotion regulation difficulties mediated the association between stress and problematic alcohol consumption among college students [13]. These findings underscore the significant role of emotion regulation as a psychological mechanism mediating the pathway from environmental stressors to addiction outcomes [14].
Distress tolerance, defined as the perceived or actual capacity to endure negative emotional or physical states, represents another crucial determinant of addiction propensity [15]. Diminished distress tolerance is associated with a strong inclination to seek immediate relief through substance use or other addictive behaviors as a means of escaping aversive emotional experiences [16]. Research indicates that university students exhibiting low distress tolerance face an elevated risk of developing substance use disorders, as they possess fewer resources to manage emotional discomfort without resorting to maladaptive coping mechanisms [17]. A recent meta-analysis corroborated the negative correlation between distress tolerance and addiction severity, with lower tolerance levels predicting a greater reliance on substances to manage distress [18]. For university students, who frequently encounter novel and intense stressors, distress tolerance functions as a protective factor against the development of addictive behaviors, underscoring its relevance for prevention initiatives [19].
Despite the expanding literature on addiction, a need persists to integrate familial and individual psychological determinants for a comprehensive understanding of addiction propensity among university students. Although prior investigations have examined these factors in isolation, fewer studies have explored their combined predictive capacity within a unified framework, particularly in non-Western settings. The interaction among familial emotional climate, difficulties in emotion regulation, and distress tolerance likely exerts a synergistic influence on addiction risk; nonetheless, empirical evidence regarding their relative contributions remains limited. Addressing this gap is essential for informing evidence-based interventions that target both family dynamics and individual emotional competencies. Moreover, the cultural and developmental specificities of university students necessitate context-sensitive research to ensure the generalizability of findings across diverse populations.
Objectives
In light of the aforementioned issues, the current study sought to assess the predictive power of familial emotional climate, difficulties in emotion regulation, and distress tolerance concerning the likelihood of addiction among university students.
Materials and Methods
This study adopted a descriptive, correlational design to investigate addiction propensity (criterion variable) as predicted by familial emotional climate, difficulties in emotion regulation, and distress tolerance (predictor variables). The target population consisted of all students aged 18 to 25 years enrolled at the Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz branch, during the 2023 academic year. Participants (n=168) were recruited using convenience sampling from the 180 distributed questionnaires, after excluding incomplete or spoiled submissions. The inclusion criteria mandated current enrollment at the specified university during the study period and being within the 18-25 age range. On the other hand, the exclusion criteria encompassed questionnaires with more than 10% unanswered items, indications of random or insincere responses, or participants with a documented clinical diagnosis of substance use disorder.
Instruments
Addiction Potential Scale (APS)
The APS, originally developed by Weed et al. [20], comprises 41 items, including 36 core items and 5 lie detection items, designed to assess an individual's propensity for addiction. Responses are rated on a 4-point Likert scale, ranging from 0 (strongly disagree) to 3 (strongly agree), with total scores ranging from 0-180. Higher scores reflect a greater predisposition to addictive behaviors. Shafikhani et al. [21] reported a reliability coefficient of 0.83 for this scale. In the present study, the APS illustrated strong internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.78.
Family Emotional Climate Questionnaire (FECQ)
The FECQ, developed by Hill Burn, was employed to evaluate the emotional environment within families. This measure includes 16 items organized into eight subscales (love, caress, affirmation, shared experiences, gift-giving, encouragement, trust, and sense of security), with each subscale comprising two items. Participants respond using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = very low to 5 = very high), indicating their perceptions of the family emotional climate. The FECQ has exhibited strong internal consistency, with Yousefi and Pariyad [22] reporting a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.94. In the current study, the questionnaire exhibited satisfactory reliability, yielding a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.86.
Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)
The CERQ, developed by Garnefski and Kraaij [23], is a 36-item instrument designed to assess cognitive emotion regulation strategies. These strategies are categorized into adaptive and maladaptive types. Adaptive strategies include subscales, such as putting into perspective, positive refocusing, positive reappraisal, acceptance, and planning, while maladaptive strategies encompass self-blame, other-blame, rumination, and catastrophizing. Responses are rated based on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = never, 2 = sometimes, 3 = usually, 4 = often, 5 = always). The reliability of the CERQ was established by Abdi et al. [24], who reported a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.82. In the current study, the CERQ exhibited robust internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.80.
Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS)
The DTS, developed by Simons and Gaher in 2005, is a 15-item self-report measure designed to evaluate an individual’s capacity to tolerate emotional distress. The scale is organized into four subscales: tolerance, absorption, appraisal, and regulation. The items are rated based on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Agree to 5 = Strongly Disagree), with item 6 being reverse-scored. Total scores range from 15 to 75, where higher scores indicate greater distress tolerance [25]. The Persian version of the DTS, validated by Azizi [26] in Iran, demonstrated acceptable internal consistency, with subscale reliability coefficients ranging from 0.74 to 0.85. In the present study, the DTS illustrated strong internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.85.
Data analysis
The collected data were subjected to analysis using both descriptive statistics, including means and standard deviations, and inferential statistics, namely Pearson's correlation coefficient and stepwise regression. All statistical procedures were performed using SPSS software (version 27). The threshold for statistical significance was established at P<0.05.
Results
The study sample comprised 168 students within the age range of 18-25 years. These participants, recruited through convenience sampling, were primarily undergraduate students (78%) and exhibited a gender distribution of 54% female and 46% male. The majority of participants (62%) reported hailing from urban backgrounds, and approximately 85% indicated living away from their parental homes, residing in either university dormitories or independent accommodations.
Table 1 presents descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations) for the study variables alongside the Pearson correlation coefficients examining the relationships between addiction propensity and the predictor variables. The correlation analysis revealed significant associations between addiction propensity and all predictor variables. Specifically, familial emotional climate demonstrated a strong, negative correlation with addiction propensity (r=−0.59; P<0.001), indicating an inverse relationship where a more positive familial emotional environment corresponded with lower addiction propensity. Conversely, difficulties in emotion regulation exhibited a significant positive correlation with addiction propensity (r=0.50; P<0.001), suggesting that greater challenges in managing emotions were associated with increased addiction risk. Finally, distress tolerance displayed a significant negative correlation with addiction propensity (r=−0.49; P<0.001), implying that a higher capacity to tolerate distress was associated with a reduced likelihood of addiction.
Table 1. Descriptive statistics and correlation matrix for study variables
**: P< 0.01
| Variables | Mean | SD | Addiction propensity (r, P) |
| Addiction propensity | 43.21 | 9.58 | 1 |
| Familial emotional climate | 50.27 | 13.01 | r=-0.59, P<0.001 |
| Difficulties in emotion regulation | 104.48 | 22.80 | r=0.50, P<0.001 |
| Distress tolerance | 47.33 | 14.91 | r=-0.49, P<0.001 |
To ascertain the predictive capacity of familial emotional climate, difficulties in emotion regulation, and distress tolerance regarding addiction propensity, a stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed. The outcomes of this analysis are summarized in Table 2, which presents the regression coefficients, multiple correlation coefficients (MR), coefficients of determination (R²), F-statistics, and significance levels for each step of the model.
Table 2. Stepwise multiple regression analysis predicting addiction propensity
| Step | Predictor(s) | R | R² | Adjusted R² | F | P | ΔR² |
| 1 | Familial emotional climate | 0.59 | 0.34 | 0.34 | 65.11 | 0.001 | 0.34 |
| 2 | Familial emotional climate, Difficulties in emotion regulation | 0.69 | 0.47 | 0.47 | 41.32 | 0.001 | 0.13 |
| 3 | Familial emotional climate, Difficulties in emotion regulation, Distress tolerance | 0.71 | 0.50 | 0.49 | 30.67 | 0.001 | 0.02 |
In the initial step, with familial emotional climate as the sole predictor, 34.2% of the variance in addiction propensity was explained (R²=0.34, F=65.11; P <0.001). The introduction of difficulties in emotion regulation in the second step significantly increased the explained variance to 47.4% (R²=0.47, F=41.32; P<0.001). Finally, the inclusion of distress tolerance in the third step further augmented the explained variance to 49.7% (R²=0.50, F=30.67, P <0.001). The standardized regression coefficients (β) in the final model revealed that familial emotional climate (β=−0.39), difficulties in emotion regulation (β=0.52), and distress tolerance (β=−0.45) were all significant predictors of addiction propensity (P<0.001 for each). These findings collectively indicate that the combination of these three psychological factors accounts for a substantial proportion of the variance in addiction propensity within the studied university student population.
Discussion
This research assessed the predictive capacity of familial emotional climate, difficulties in emotion regulation, and distress tolerance regarding the likelihood of addiction within a university student population. The findings pointed to an inverse relationship between a positive familial emotional climate and addiction propensity among this demographic, underscoring the protective impact of a supportive family environment. Specifically, a nurturing family atmosphere characterized by emotional warmth, trust, and open communication appears to cultivate resilience against addictive behaviors, potentially by establishing a stable emotional foundation that reduces reliance on maladaptive coping strategies. This observation is consistent with prior studies emphasizing the crucial role of family dynamics in addiction prevention. For example, Moore et al. [27] demonstrated that cohesive family environments diminish the likelihood of substance use in young adults by enhancing emotional security. In the same vein, Barrett and Turner [28] reported that dysfunctional family climates, marked by conflict and emotional neglect, elevate addiction vulnerability, further supporting the protective effect of positive familial interactions identified in the current study.
Furthermore, this research highlighted the positive association between difficulties in emotion regulation and addiction propensity, indicating that challenges in managing emotional experiences elevate the risk of addictive behaviors. University students who struggle to modulate intense emotions or utilize adaptive coping mechanisms may resort to substances or compulsive behaviors as a maladaptive strategy to alleviate negative affect. This finding aligns with established literature on emotion regulation and addiction. For instance, Stellern et al. [10] reported that deficits in emotion regulation mediate the relationship between stress and problematic alcohol use among college students, supporting the premise that emotional dysregulation contributes to addiction risk. Moreover, a meta-analysis by Rahbarian et al. [29] confirmed that poor emotion regulation is a significant predictor of addiction outcomes, underscoring the importance of interventions aimed at enhancing emotional regulation skills within university settings.
Another significant finding of this study was the negative association between distress tolerance and addiction propensity, indicating that a greater capacity to withstand emotional discomfort diminishes the likelihood of engaging in addictive behaviors. University students with higher distress tolerance appear better equipped to navigate stressors without resorting to substances or other addictive outlets, suggesting that this capacity functions as a psychological buffer against addiction. This finding is consistent with recent research on distress tolerance. For example, Mattingley et al. [30] reported that low distress tolerance is associated with increased addiction severity, as individuals seek immediate relief from aversive emotional states. Furthermore, Vujanovic et al. [31] demonstrated that distress tolerance mitigates substance use risk among young adults experiencing stress, highlighting its protective role within the context of university students facing academic and social pressures.
The regression analysis revealed that familial emotional climate, difficulties in emotion regulation, and distress tolerance collectively constitute a robust predictive model for addiction propensity, with each factor contributing incrementally to the explanation of addiction risk. This integrative model suggests a synergistic interplay among these psychosocial factors, wherein family environment and individual emotional competencies interact to shape an individual's vulnerability to addiction. These results are consistent with prior research underscoring the combined effect of family and individual factors. For instance, Horigian et al. [32] found that family dynamics and emotional competencies jointly predict substance use outcomes in young adults, while Zaorska et al. [33] highlighted the interactive roles of emotion regulation and distress tolerance in problematic alcohol use. These findings advocate for the development of comprehensive prevention strategies that address both familial and individual-level factors to effectively mitigate addiction risk within university student populations.
Despite the valuable contributions of this study, certain limitations warrant consideration. Firstly, the utilization of convenience sampling may constrain the generalizability of the findings, as the recruited sample may not fully represent the heterogeneity of university student populations, particularly those from diverse cultural or socioeconomic backgrounds. Secondly, the cross-sectional design inherent in this research precludes the establishment of causality, as the observed associations may reflect reciprocal influences necessitating longitudinal investigations for clarification. Future research endeavors should employ randomized sampling techniques and longitudinal methodologies to enhance the robustness and broader applicability of these findings.
Conclusion
This research robustly establishes the significant predictive roles of familial emotional climate, difficulties in emotion regulation, and distress tolerance in determining addiction propensity among university students. The significant correlations identified highlight the protective effect of a supportive familial emotional climate and the increased risk linked to challenges in emotion regulation and reduced distress tolerance. Stepwise regression analysis further reveals that these psychosocial factors collectively explain 49% of the variance in addiction propensity, with each variable contributing incrementally to the model. These results emphasize the critical need to integrate family dynamics and individual emotional regulation capacities into the design of targeted prevention and intervention programs to reduce addiction vulnerability in university student populations.
Ethical Considerations
Participants were required to review and sign a written informed consent form prior to their involvement in the study, provided they agreed to participate. The research was approved by the Ethics Review Board of the Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Branch (Approval No. IR.IAU.AHVAZ.REC.1403.406).
Acknowledgments
The authors extend their heartfelt appreciation to all participants for their valuable contributions to this study.
Authors' Contributions
All authors contributed to the drafting and revision of the manuscript and are accountable for its accuracy.
Funding/Support
No specific funding was received from public, commercial, or not-for-profit entities for this study.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors confirm they have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
References
Discussion
This research assessed the predictive capacity of familial emotional climate, difficulties in emotion regulation, and distress tolerance regarding the likelihood of addiction within a university student population. The findings pointed to an inverse relationship between a positive familial emotional climate and addiction propensity among this demographic, underscoring the protective impact of a supportive family environment. Specifically, a nurturing family atmosphere characterized by emotional warmth, trust, and open communication appears to cultivate resilience against addictive behaviors, potentially by establishing a stable emotional foundation that reduces reliance on maladaptive coping strategies. This observation is consistent with prior studies emphasizing the crucial role of family dynamics in addiction prevention. For example, Moore et al. [27] demonstrated that cohesive family environments diminish the likelihood of substance use in young adults by enhancing emotional security. In the same vein, Barrett and Turner [28] reported that dysfunctional family climates, marked by conflict and emotional neglect, elevate addiction vulnerability, further supporting the protective effect of positive familial interactions identified in the current study.
Furthermore, this research highlighted the positive association between difficulties in emotion regulation and addiction propensity, indicating that challenges in managing emotional experiences elevate the risk of addictive behaviors. University students who struggle to modulate intense emotions or utilize adaptive coping mechanisms may resort to substances or compulsive behaviors as a maladaptive strategy to alleviate negative affect. This finding aligns with established literature on emotion regulation and addiction. For instance, Stellern et al. [10] reported that deficits in emotion regulation mediate the relationship between stress and problematic alcohol use among college students, supporting the premise that emotional dysregulation contributes to addiction risk. Moreover, a meta-analysis by Rahbarian et al. [29] confirmed that poor emotion regulation is a significant predictor of addiction outcomes, underscoring the importance of interventions aimed at enhancing emotional regulation skills within university settings.
Another significant finding of this study was the negative association between distress tolerance and addiction propensity, indicating that a greater capacity to withstand emotional discomfort diminishes the likelihood of engaging in addictive behaviors. University students with higher distress tolerance appear better equipped to navigate stressors without resorting to substances or other addictive outlets, suggesting that this capacity functions as a psychological buffer against addiction. This finding is consistent with recent research on distress tolerance. For example, Mattingley et al. [30] reported that low distress tolerance is associated with increased addiction severity, as individuals seek immediate relief from aversive emotional states. Furthermore, Vujanovic et al. [31] demonstrated that distress tolerance mitigates substance use risk among young adults experiencing stress, highlighting its protective role within the context of university students facing academic and social pressures.
The regression analysis revealed that familial emotional climate, difficulties in emotion regulation, and distress tolerance collectively constitute a robust predictive model for addiction propensity, with each factor contributing incrementally to the explanation of addiction risk. This integrative model suggests a synergistic interplay among these psychosocial factors, wherein family environment and individual emotional competencies interact to shape an individual's vulnerability to addiction. These results are consistent with prior research underscoring the combined effect of family and individual factors. For instance, Horigian et al. [32] found that family dynamics and emotional competencies jointly predict substance use outcomes in young adults, while Zaorska et al. [33] highlighted the interactive roles of emotion regulation and distress tolerance in problematic alcohol use. These findings advocate for the development of comprehensive prevention strategies that address both familial and individual-level factors to effectively mitigate addiction risk within university student populations.
Despite the valuable contributions of this study, certain limitations warrant consideration. Firstly, the utilization of convenience sampling may constrain the generalizability of the findings, as the recruited sample may not fully represent the heterogeneity of university student populations, particularly those from diverse cultural or socioeconomic backgrounds. Secondly, the cross-sectional design inherent in this research precludes the establishment of causality, as the observed associations may reflect reciprocal influences necessitating longitudinal investigations for clarification. Future research endeavors should employ randomized sampling techniques and longitudinal methodologies to enhance the robustness and broader applicability of these findings.
Conclusion
This research robustly establishes the significant predictive roles of familial emotional climate, difficulties in emotion regulation, and distress tolerance in determining addiction propensity among university students. The significant correlations identified highlight the protective effect of a supportive familial emotional climate and the increased risk linked to challenges in emotion regulation and reduced distress tolerance. Stepwise regression analysis further reveals that these psychosocial factors collectively explain 49% of the variance in addiction propensity, with each variable contributing incrementally to the model. These results emphasize the critical need to integrate family dynamics and individual emotional regulation capacities into the design of targeted prevention and intervention programs to reduce addiction vulnerability in university student populations.
Ethical Considerations
Participants were required to review and sign a written informed consent form prior to their involvement in the study, provided they agreed to participate. The research was approved by the Ethics Review Board of the Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Branch (Approval No. IR.IAU.AHVAZ.REC.1403.406).
Acknowledgments
The authors extend their heartfelt appreciation to all participants for their valuable contributions to this study.
Authors' Contributions
All authors contributed to the drafting and revision of the manuscript and are accountable for its accuracy.
Funding/Support
No specific funding was received from public, commercial, or not-for-profit entities for this study.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors confirm they have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
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Article Type: Research Article |
Subject:
Substance abuse, dependence, addiction
Received: 2025/05/20 | Accepted: 2025/07/7 | Published: 2025/07/19
Received: 2025/05/20 | Accepted: 2025/07/7 | Published: 2025/07/19
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