Examining the relationship between social support and tendency to substance use among Iranian earthquake survivors: The mediating role of positive mental health

Increasing natural hazards have caused various social issues among survivors. This study was conducted to investigate the mediating role of positive mental health between social support and tendency to substance use among Kermanshah earthquake survivors in Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021. Participants were 450 survivors over 18 years old experienced 2017 Kermanshah Earthquake and were selected using a multistage sampling method. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, AMOS Graphics, and Stata. According to the results, the relationship between positive mental health and socioeconomic status (beta = 0.25), and having an own home (beta = 0.082) was positive and significant. The relationship between tendency to substance use and education level (beta = 0.126) was negative and significant. Men were also more likely to use substance than women (beta = 0.10). Indirect relationship between social support and the tendency to substance use was not statistically significant (Beta = 0.03, p = 0.54, Z = 0.613). In addition, the main hypothesis of the study, namely the mediating role of positive mental health between social support and tendency to substance use was not confirmed. According to the findings, another variable may play a mediating role in relationship between social support and substance use among earthquake survivors. Considering the relationship between social support and positive mental health separately with the tendency to substance use, relevant authorities should plan and policy by acting appropriately to improve social support and positive mental health and, consequently, reduce substance use.