Background: Ego-strength refers to the individual’s psychosocial capacity to self-regulate their emotions in the face of stress, developed over the course of the lifespan. Ego-strength may have an important role in understanding psychological adaptation to cancer, especially when considering the effects of emotional suppression in cancer populations. In the present study, we examined the effects of ego-strength and emotional suppression on depression and anxiety in patients coping with cancer. We also tested whether ego-strength may mediate the relationship between emotional suppression and psychological distress in cancer. Methods: 120 cancer patients were recruited from a private hospital in Tabriz to complete baseline questionnaires. Depression, anxiety, ego-strength and emotional suppression were assessed by BDI-II, BAI, PIES and WAI respectively. Mediation models were tested using structural equation modeling, controlling for age and gender. Results: Emotional suppression was positively associated with depression and anxiety, and negatively associated with ego-strength. Ego-strength was negatively associated with depression and anxiety. Ego-strength partially mediated the relationship between emotional suppression and depression, and fully mediated the relationship between emotional suppression and anxiety. Conclusion: Ego-strength may help prevent the onset or unfavorable course of depression and anxiety in cancer patients.

Background: Motivation is an important factor in the substance use field. Self-determination theory is one of the theories that focuses specifically on the issue of motivation in substance use disorder and basic psychological needs issue. Objectives: The present study aims to evaluate the satisfaction of basic psychological needs in addict persons in comparison to normal persons. Methods: In this case-control study, 93 drug addicts and 91 normal people were selected through available sampling method by matching age, gender, educational level, and socioeconomic status, and evaluated using a basic psychological needs scale. Results: The results of multivariate analysis of variances showed a significant difference between two groups in the three basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relationship (P < 0.001). Also, drug abusers received far fewer scores in three basic psychological needs. Conclusions: The results of this study highlight the weakness in satisfying the basic psychological needs of drug addicts that play an important role in the majority of aspects of each person's life. Considering this problem, constructive suggestions may be provided for prevention and interventions based on this theory in the field of addiction.

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