The association of perceived stress, distress tolerance and psychological flexibility in individuals with substance use disorder

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between perceived stress, distress tolerance and psychological flexibility in individuals with substance use disorder. Material and Method: This descriptive correlational study was conducted with 187 individuals with substance use disorder at Mersin Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment Center between September 2021 and August 2023. Data were collected using Descriptive Information Form, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS), which measure psychological flexibility it was collected using the The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire- Substance Abuse (AAQ-SA). Mean, number, percentage distributions, ANOVA analysis to evaluate the difference between groups, t-test in independent groups were used in the evaluation of the data, while Pearson correlation was used to evaluate the relationships, and bootstrapping method was used by using PROCESS macro for mediation effects. Results: In this study, the mean scores of PSS, DTS and AAQ-SA in individuals with substance use disorder were 28.40±8.66, 45.82±10.66, 62.37±14.08, respectively. It was determined that there were statistically significant relationships between the dependent variables in the study (p< 0.01). The results of the mediator model analysis revealed that the indirect effect of DTS through AAQ-SA on PSS was significant (ß = -.050. p < .05; 95%). GA = -.107. -.010). Conclusion: The findings showed that psychological flexibility plays a partial mediator role in this relationship and is an important factor in increasing the ability to cope with stress and withstand distress in individuals with substance use disorder. This research provides evidence that interventions to increase psychological flexibility can be effective in the treatment of substance use disorder. Keywords: Perceived Stress, Substance Use Disorder, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychological flexibility, Distress Tolerance.