effects of behavioral activation/inhibition systems as predictors of substance abuse in bipolar patients

Background: recently, more evidence has been presented regarding the role of behavioral activation/inhibition systems as predictors of substance use disorders. in fact, these systems are regarded as potentially important factors in the development of this complex psychiatric problem. objectives: this study aimed to determine how behavioral activation/inhibition systems, namely behavioral activation, behavioral inhibition, and fight-flight freezing systems, affect substance abuse in bipolar patients. methods: a total of 79 patients with bipolar disorder were selected among hospitalized patients in the psychiatric ward of kamkar- arabnia hospital in qom, iran. the participants completed the gray-wilson personality questionnaire, hamilton rating scale for depression, mood disorder questionnaire, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. results: behavioral activation and behavioral inhibition systems emerged as significant predictors of substance abuse in bipolar patients (x² = 52.511; df = 3; p < 0.0005). gender and type of bipolar disorder (i or ii) showed no significant association with the scores of behavioral activation, behavioral inhibition, or fight-flight freezing systems. also, the behavioral inhibition system scores could predict manic mood (2 x²= 7.067; df = 3; p < 0.070). conclusions: the findings of the current study provide further evidence regarding the role of behavioral activation and inhibition systems as predictors of substance abuse in bipolar patients.