Structural Equation Modeling of Addiction Susceptibility in Male High School Students Based on Parental Emotional Tone and Hostile Attribution with the Mediating Role of Behavioral Activation/Inhibition Systems

Authors

    Sabina Nobari Department of Clinical Psychology, Kish International Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kish, Iran
    Mahtab Moraveji * Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University of Zanjan, Iran. Mahtabmoraveji@gmail.com
    Mansour Ali Mahdi Department of Psychology, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
    Mehrdad Sabet Department of Psychology, Roudehen Branch, Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran
    Amin Rafiepoor Department of Psychology, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran

Keywords:

Addiction susceptibility, parental emotional tone, hostile attribution, Behavioral Activation System, Behavioral Inhibition System, adolescents

Abstract

The objective of this study was to model addiction susceptibility in male high school students based on parental emotional tone and hostile attribution, mediated by Behavioral Activation/Inhibition Systems (BAS/BIS). This correlational study employed structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of male high school students in Tehran (2023–2024), from which 590 participants were selected via convenience sampling. Research instruments included the Addiction Susceptibility Questionnaire, the Family Emotional Expressiveness Scale, the Hostile Attribution Questionnaire, and the Behavioral Activation/Inhibition Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS, and indirect effects were tested through bootstrapping. The proposed model demonstrated acceptable fit. Parental emotional tone and hostile attribution significantly predicted addiction susceptibility. BIS showed a significant negative effect, whereas BAS components exerted significant positive effects on addiction susceptibility. Positive emotional expression and parental intimacy indirectly reduced addiction susceptibility via increased BIS, while negative emotional expression and hostile attribution indirectly increased susceptibility through heightened BAS. Hostile attribution was the strongest direct predictor of addiction vulnerability. Parental emotional and cognitive patterns influence adolescent addiction susceptibility through behavioral regulatory systems. Enhancing BIS functioning, reducing BAS overactivation, promoting emotional regulation skills, and decreasing hostile attribution may serve as effective components of school-based prevention programs.

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References

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Published

2026-03-21

Submitted

2025-03-07

Revised

2025-10-28

Accepted

2025-12-02

Issue

Section

مقالات

How to Cite

Nobari, S., Moraveji, M., Ali Mahdi, M., Sabet, M., & Rafiepoor, A. . (1405). Structural Equation Modeling of Addiction Susceptibility in Male High School Students Based on Parental Emotional Tone and Hostile Attribution with the Mediating Role of Behavioral Activation/Inhibition Systems. Journal of Cognition, Behavior, Learning, 1-16. https://journalcbl.com/index.php/jcbl/article/view/333

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