Loneliness reduces life satisfaction in Chinese drug addicts

Bacground Substance use and addiction pose significant global public health challenges. Less attention has been given to the positive well-being in drug users. The present study aimed to explore whether perceived stress performed as a mediator or moderator in the relationship between loneliness and life satisfaction among drug addicts.Methods A total of 389 participants with drug use and addiction, recruited from Nanjing Shifosi Addiction Rehabilitation Center, were included in the study. Participants were assessed on life satisfaction, loneliness, and perceived stress. Bivariate correlations and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the relationships between these variables.Results Bivariate correlations revealed that loneliness and perceived stress were significant negative predictors of life satisfaction. Additionally, loneliness was positively associated with perceived stress. The mediation analysis indicated that perceived stress partially mediated the relationship between loneliness and life satisfaction. However, hierarchical multiple regression analysis did not reveal a moderating effect of perceived stress.Conclusions These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of life satisfaction during addiction recovery, highlighting the need for targeted psychological interventions aimed at stress management and social connection enhancement.