Iranian Journal of Rehabilitation Research in Nursing

Introduction: Aggression is one of the known precipitating factors for drug abuse and people with impulse control disorder in disturbing situations are more prone to abuse drugs. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of emotion regulation strategies for aggression control based on Gross model in substance abusers Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest design, the population consisted of all clients referred to outpatient drug rehabilitation clinics in city of Marivan in the fall of 1393. Sampling was done in two stages, the first stage by purposive sampling and in the second stage 30 participants randomly assigned into control and experimental groups (Each group consisted of 15 clients). Data collection tools consisted of socio demographic questionnaire and Buss-Perry Aggression Scale. The experimental group received 8 sessions of emotion regulation strategies based on Gross model and the control group received only routine interventions. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 18 software with multivariate analysis of covariance. Results: After intervention, the mean of total aggression score and subscales in the intervention group had a significant decrease than the control group (p<0/001). As well as the results indicate a significant reduction in the mean of total aggression score and subscales after intervention than before in the intervention group (p<0/001). Conclusion: The effect of emotion regulation strategies on aggression control in drug dependent clients confirmed in our study.