Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanity, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
2
M.A in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, Iran
3
M.A in Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Islamic Azad University, Shahr-e Qods Branch, Tehran, Iran
4
M.A in Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil Branch, Ardabil, Iran
5
M.A in General Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Islamic Azad University, Semnan Branch, Semnan, Iran
10.48311/ijmpp.2026.119873.82923
Abstract
Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in reducing pain-related anxiety, improving coping strategies, and alleviating somatization disorder in patients with chronic pain and a predisposition to opioid addiction.
Method and Materials: This study utilized a quasi-experimental framework, incorporating a pre-test/post-test methodology with a control group. The participants were drawn from male individuals undergoing treatment for opioid dependence at addiction clinics in Tehran during 2025. Through convenience sampling, 36 individuals were recruited and subsequently randomized into two groups: an experimental group (n=18) and a control group (n=18). To gather data, the following instruments were administered: the Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale (McCracken et al., 1992), the Multidimensional Coping Inventory (Endler & Parker, 1990), and the Patient Health Questionnaire (Kroenke et al., 2022). Participants in the experimental group underwent eight 90-minute Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) sessions, as described by Beck (2008), whereas the control group did not receive any intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate covariance analysis (MANCOVA) via SPSS version 27.
Findings: CBT significantly reduced pain-related anxiety, somatization disorder, and maladaptive coping styles (emotion-focused and avoidance strategies) while enhancing adaptive problem-focused coping strategies in patients with chronic pain and a predisposition to opioid addiction (P<0.001).
Conclusion: CBT demonstrates significant efficacy in reducing psychological distress and promoting adaptive coping strategies, making it a valuable approach for managing chronic pain and addressing the psychological needs of patients with opioid addiction tendencies.
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