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Structural Modeling of the Relationships Between Craving and Behavioral/Motivational Brain Systems: The Mediating Role of Experiential Avoidance in Individuals with Opioid Dependence Undergoing Methadone Maintenance Treatment in Shiraz
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Zahra Shekari1   , Akbar Rezai Fard *2 , Sakineh Karimi3 |
1- Department of Psychology, Arsanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arsanjan, Iran
2- Department of Psychology and Counseling Education, Farhangian University, P.O. Box 889-14665, Tehran, Iran. , a.rezaieefard@cfu.ac.ir
3- Department of Psychology, Arsanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arsanjan, Iran. |
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Abstract: (20 Views) |
Introduction: Addiction can be influenced by brain mechanisms and may persist through the mediation of environmental and internal stressors. The present study aimed to investigate the structural modeling of the relationships between craving and behavioral/motivational brain systems, with the mediating role of experiential avoidance, in individuals with opioid dependence undergoing methadone maintenance treatment.
Method: The present study was descriptive-correlational based on structural equations. The statistical population consisted of all individuals with opioid dependence undergoing methadone maintenance treatment (2025–2026). Based on Klein’s (2023) perspective, to achieve reliable estimates, at least 10 participants per free parameter or a minimum of 200 samples are required; therefore, 280 participants (aged 18 to 60 years) were selected from a governmental MMT center using non-probability purposive sampling. Participants completed the Somoza et al. (1995) Craving Questionnaire, the Behavioral/Motivational Brain Systems questionnaire by Carver and White (1994), and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (Experiential Avoidance) by Bond et al. (2011). Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling with SPSS 26 and AMOS 24.
Results: The results showed that behavioral/motivational inhibition (β = 0.63), behavioral/motivational activation (β = 0.62), and experiential avoidance (β = 0.50) had direct effects on craving. In addition, behavioral/motivational inhibition (β = 0.53) and behavioral/motivational activation (CR = 0.59) had direct effects on experiential avoidance. Regarding indirect effects, the analysis of indirect effects showed that behavioral/motivational inhibition (β = 0.80) and behavioral/motivational activation (β = 0.79) had significant indirect effects on craving through experiential avoidance (p < 0.001).
Discussion and conclusion: Behavioral/motivational brain systems lead to increased craving in individuals with substance dependence undergoing methadone maintenance treatment through increased experiential avoidance.
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| Keywords: Craving, Behavioral Brain Systems, Substance-Related Disorders, Methadone |
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Type of Article: Research Article |
Subject:
Forensic Psychiatry
Received: 2026/09/11 | Revised: 2026/11/1 | Accepted: 2026/11/1
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