title: Family functioning of addicted and non-addicted individuals: a comparative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Family functioning is considered to have a significant impact on the beginnings and maintenance of substance use.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The main purpose of this study was to examine and compare the dimensions of family functioning among addicted and non-addicted individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, the study sample consisted of 228 individuals, including 118 addicted and 110 non-addicted subjects. The addicted persons were recruited from patients who attended the Baharan Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic for treatment of substance dependence disorders and 110 non-addicted (normal) individuals who were selected from normal populations (students, staff of the hospital and people accompanying patients without a history of substance use) through convenience sampling. The Family Assessment Device (FAD) was used to assess six dimensions of family functioning. The data were analyzed using descriptive indexes (ie, frequency, mean and standard deviation) and t test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed significant differences in the mean scores of family functioning dimensions including; problem solving, communication, roles, affective responsiveness, affective involvement, behavioral control and overall family performance (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of this study confirmed the lower functioning levels of substance dependent clients' families on all subscales of the FAD, than in families of non-addicted individuals. It is therefore concluded, that providing interventional strategies for the prevention and treatment of substance use that focus on and involve families in the delivery of health care services is a necessity.
authors: Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, IR Iran.
authors: Mohsen
authors: M
authors: Hosseinbor
authors: Research Center for Children and Adolescents Health, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, IR Iran.
authors: Nour-Mohammad
authors: NM
authors: Bakhshani
authors: Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, IR Iran.
authors: Mansour
authors: M
authors: Shakiba
keywords: FAD; Family; Substance Abuse