Life Satisfaction Among Chinese Drug Addicts: The Role of Affect and Social Support

This study was designed to investigate the mediating and moderating roles of positive and negative affect on the relationship between perceived social support and life satisfaction among drug addicts in China. A sample of drug addicts (n = 513) were recruited from two compulsory detoxification units in Nanjing. Participants completed the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MPSS), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), and the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). Correlations analyses revealed that perceived social support was significantly associated with life satisfaction. Furthermore, mediation analysis indicated that both positive affect and negative affect partially mediated the influence of perceived social support on life satisfaction. Hierarchical regression analysis for testing moderating effect showed that only positive affect served as a moderator on the relationship between perceived social support and life satisfaction. These findings might provide a more comprehensive understanding of the overall mental health among drug addicts.