Behzad Rigi Kooteh, Azizollah Mojahed, Farzaneh Ahmadi, Parisa Bahadorinia, Azam Azari, Mousa Chakeri Hakami

Abstract

Automatic attentional bias plays a vital role in craving. The present study tends to analyze the impact of attentional bias towards emotional-neutral stimuli relevant to craving using computerized technology (emotional Stroop test) in the opioid-dependent patients in Zahedan (Iran). The method used in this study is a descriptive one designed using the Emotional Stroop task. The statistical population consists of all opioid-dependent patients in Zahedan living in Medium Term Accommodation Centers (Camp) in 2019 (N=700). The sample was selected using Morgan and Freeman Table (N=243). For data collection, emotional Stroop test version super-lab4 was used. The data analysis was done using SPSS-24 and the output of the Emotional Stroop test. The average of true responses was obtained as an unmatched stimulus mode with a mean value of 49.23 and a standard deviation of 11.67. The lowest range of true responses was obtained as unmatched emotional stimuli with a mean value of 38.21 and a standard deviation of 18.79. Finally, the highest average response time of true responses was obtained as unmatched emotional stimuli with a mean value of 1745.78 and a standard deviation of 553.71. Therefore, attentional bias towards craving-related emotional stimuli can be considered as one of the most critical factors among addiction vulnerability ones.