Emotional Intelligence, Motivation and Dysfunctional Attitude among Patients with Substance Use: Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Abstract

he study explores the significant predictive relationship between emotional intelligence, motivation, and dysfunctional attitude among substance use patients with the role of cognitive behavior therapy. The sample was comprised of 150 addictive patients. Among 150 patients, 40 were selected for intervention. The sample was divided into two groups of 20 each in the experimental and controlled groups. Participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique from Poly Clinic Jhelum, Punjab, Pakistan. To estimate the constructs following scales were used Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form Scale, Situational Motivation Scale, Dysfunctional Attitude Scale Short Form and Drug Abuse Screening Test all in Urdu. Patients with a high level of dysfunctional attitude were selected for intervention. For each participant, 12 sessions were planned. The statistical calculations were done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences(V-26). Regression analysis confirmed that emotional intelligence and motivation is a significant predictors of dysfunctional attitudes in substance used patients [R²=.066; F (2, 147) = 5.198, p<.01] with 6.6% explained variation in the dysfunctional attitude due to emotional intelligence and motivation. The effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy was also evident with the experimental groups mean score of emotional intelligence (M=78.6, M = 169.00), motivation (M=58.1, M = 92.10) and dysfunctional attitude (M=61.1, M = 26.00) pre and posttest scores. It indicates that Cognitive Behavior Therapy was effective in the treatment of drug addicts to deal with lower levels of motivation and emotional intelligence as well as higher dysfunctional attitudes. For emotional intelligence, results showed that there is change in mean score of experimental groups (M=78.6, M = 169.00) For motivation, results showed that there is change in mean score of experimental groups (M=58.1, M = 92.10). For dysfunctional attitude, results showed that there is change in mean score of experimental groups (M=61.1, M = 26.00) which indicate that Cognitive Behavior Therapy was effective in treatment of drug addicts to deal with lower levels of motivation and emotional intelligence as well as higher dysfunctional attitude.