Abstract
Time perspective is a predictor of addiction, and relapse is an important feature of addiction. Owing to the high relapse rate among drug addicts, it is particularly essential to explore the mechanism of relapse tendency from a time perspective. In this study, we explored the relationship between heroin abstainers’ time perspective and relapse tendency, and the mediating role of motivation for abstinence. Heroin abstainers (n = 300) from a compulsory isolated detoxification center in China were investigated by using the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory, Motivation for Abstention Questionnaire, and Questionnaire on Relapse Tendency of Compulsory Drug Addicts. The results showed that past negative time perspective was positively associated with relapse tendency, while future and balanced time perspectives were negatively associated with relapse tendency. Past negative time perspective was negatively associated with motivation for abstinence, whereas future and balanced time perspectives were positively associated with motivation for abstinence. Moreover, motivation for abstinence partially mediated the relationship between heroin addicts’ time perspective and relapse tendency. Based on these results, we suggest that attention should be paid to the role of time perspectives in relapse interventions for drug addicts.
Highlights
Time perspective is significantly correlated with relapse tendency.
Past negative time perspective is positively associated with heroin addicts’ relapse tendency, while future and balanced time perspectives are negatively associated with relapse tendency.
Motivation for abstinence plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between heroin addicts’ time perspective and relapse tendency.
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Data availability
The datasets generated during and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Li, L., Cao, H. & Yang, L. Motivation for abstinence mediates the relationship between the time perspective and relapse tendency among heroin abstainers. Curr Psychol 43, 17300–17309 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-05706-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-05706-1