Abstract

Objectives:The aim of this project was to compare the perceptions of cigarettes, opium, and heroin abusers with those of non- abusers regarding their parental discipline.

Method: In this project, via Family Environmental Questionnaire (FEQ) the perceptions of four groups, each comprised of 30 subjects (substance abusers of cigarettes, opium, heroin, and non- abusers) about their parental discipline were evaluated by a retrospective and comparative method.�

Findings: In regards to their parental discipline, all three substance abuser groups as compared to the non- abusers rated higher on the subscales of "Aggression and Hostility" and "Rejection", yet rated lower on the subscales of "Expression of love" and "Take the participation of their child in life". The opium and heroin abusers rated their parents lower on the subscale of “Emotional support” and higher on the subscale of “Ignoring of the child” in comparison with the non- abuser subjects. The heroin abusers assigned lower scores to their parents on the subscale of “Moderate discipline” than the other groups. Moreover, the prevailing pattern of discipline in the families of opium and heroin abusers is that of hostility and controlling.

Results: There is a correlation between parental disciplinary method and substance abuse in children.