Clinical Psychology and Personality

Clinical Psychology and Personality

The Effectiveness of Time Perspective Therapy on Locus of Control and Quitting Self-Efficacy in Drug Dependent Individuals

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Hadis Valizadeh 1
Shahram Mami 2
Homeira Soleimannejad 2
Zeinab Mihandoost 2
1 PhD Student in Psychology, Department of Psychology, Ilam Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ilam, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Ilam Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ilam, Iran.
10.22070/cpap.2025.19994.1658
Abstract
Introduction: One of the most significant challenges facing human societies is drug addiction. Accordingly, this study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Time Perspective Therapy (TPT) on locus of control and self-efficacy in individuals’ dependent on substances.
Method: The study population comprised all individuals with substance use disorder presenting at addiction treatment centers in Kermanshah in 2024. After initial screening and diagnosis, a convenience sample of 40 participants was randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. Data were collected using the Rotter's Locus of Control Scale (RLOC) and the Brief Questionnaire of Abstinence Self-Efficacy (BQAS) for substance-dependent individuals. Both groups completed a pretest; subsequently, the experimental group received six weekly 90-minute sessions of Trauma Processing Therapy (TPT), while the control group received no intervention. Posttest data were collected from both groups immediately after the intervention, with a follow-up assessment conducted two months later. Data analysis was performed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni post hoc tests at a significance level of 0.05, utilizing SPSS version 26 software.
Results: Significant main effects of time (p < 0.001), group (p < 0.001), and a significant time-by-group interaction effect (p < 0.001) were observed for locus of control and self-efficacy related to quitting in substance-dependent individuals, as well as their respective subscales. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of TPT on locus of control and self-efficacy for quitting among individuals with substance use disorder during posttest and follow-up assessments, compared to the control group. Furthermore, significant differences were found between pretest scores and both posttest and follow-up scores in the experimental group for locus of control, self-efficacy for quitting in substance-dependent individuals, and their subscales (p < 0.001). However, no significant difference was observed between posttest and follow-up scores for these variables (p > 0.05), suggesting the enduring impact of TPT on locus of control and self-efficacy for quitting in substance-dependent individuals.
Discussion and Conclusion: Overall, the findings suggest that TPT is effective in reducing an external locus of control and enhancing the self-efficacy of quitting in individuals with substance use disorder. It is recommended that TPT be implemented by specialists in counseling and treatment centers to decrease external locus of control and increase self-efficacy related to quitting.
Keywords
Time Perspective Therapy
Locus of Control
Self-Efficacy of Quitting
Substance Dependence
Addiction
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Clinical Psychology and Personality
Volume 23, Issue 2 - Serial Number 45
September 2025
Pages 123-138