Designing an addiction prevention model from the perspectives of healthy adolescents, adolescents involved in addiction, and addiction specialists; a combined approach

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Psychology, Bi.C., Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran.

10.22038/mjms.2025.27831

Abstract

Background and Objective: Adolescent addiction is one of the most complex social anomalies requiring indigenous and multidimensional preventive models. This study aimed to design and validate an addiction prevention model for adolescents, focusing on the socio-cultural context of Birjand.
 Materials and Methods: This study utilized a mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) design. In the qualitative phase, participants consisted of three groups: 80 individuals including adolescents struggling with addiction (n=33), healthy adolescents (n=32), and addiction specialists (n=15), selected through purposive sampling until theoretical saturation was reached. Data were collected via in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the "Thematic Analysis" method proposed by Creswell and Clark (2017). To ensure trustworthiness, participatory strategies and member checking (Ross & Johansson, 2020) were employed. In the quantitative phase, the designed model was validated using the Delphi technique with 15 experts and a 94-item questionnaire.
 Results: Thematic analysis led to the identification of prevention strategies at three global levels: 1) Individual and interpersonal strategies (enhancing resilience, emotion regulation, and life skills), 2) Family-oriented strategies (modifying parenting styles, smart monitoring, and strengthening emotional foundations), and 3) Social, cultural, and environmental strategies (managing cyberspace, controlling access, and the deterrent role of schools). The Delphi results indicated that the designed model, comprising 94 extracted strategies, was approved by experts, achieving a high level of professional consensus regarding the components and the structure of the thematic network.
 Conclusion: The designed model provides a multi-level, networked, and indigenous framework, highlighting the necessity of synergy between individual, family, and social institutions. This model can serve as a basis for policymakers and educators to formulate targeted preventive programs in regions with similar characteristics to Birjand.

Keywords

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Medical Journal of Mashhad university of Medical Sciences
Volume 68, Issue 1
March and April 2025
Pages 282-302

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