A comparative study of the effectiveness of matrix therapy and quality of Life–based therapy on distress tolerance in women with stimulant use disorder

Abstract

The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the matrix model and quality of life therapy in enhancing distress tolerance among women with stimulant use disorder. The statistical population comprised all women with stimulant use disorder who attended addiction treatment centers in Zahedan in 2021, from whom a sample of 45 was selected using convenience sampling and then randomly assigned to three groups: matrix therapy (n = 15), quality of life therapy (n = 15), and a control group (n = 15). The study employed an experimental design with three groups and three assessment points (pretest, posttest, and a 2‑month follow-up); the two experimental groups received the standard Matrix protocol and quality of life therapy protocol over a fixed number of sessions, whereas the control group did not receive any structured psychological intervention during the study period. The data were gathered using the Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) developed by Simons and Gaher. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and repeated-measures analysis of variance. The findings indicated that, compared with the control group, both the matrix model and quality of life therapy produced significant increases in distress tolerance and maintained at the 2‑month follow-up. These results underscore the clinical relevance of structured, evidence-based interventions such as the matrix model and quality of life therapy for targeting transdiagnostic constructs linked to stimulant use disorder in women and may inform the development of more effective gender-sensitive treatment programs in addiction services