Aim and Background: Substance use is recognized as one of the major challenges to mental and social health among university students. It is often influenced by cognitive factors such as executive functions and emotion regulation strategies. The present study was designed to examine the mediating role of cognitive emotion regulation in the relationship between executive functions and students’ tendency toward addiction.

Methods and Materials: This research employed a correlational–descriptive design using structural equation modeling. The study population consisted of students enrolled at Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman during the 2024–2025 academic year. A sample of 359 students was selected through random cluster sampling. Participants completed the Addiction Proneness Questionnaire (Vid & Butcher, 1992), the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (Garnefski, 2001), and the Cognitive Abilities Test (Nejati, 2013). Data analysis was performed using SPSS and Amos software.

Findings: Correlation analysis revealed a significant negative relationship between executive functions and addiction tendency (r = -0.47, p ≤ 0.05). Positive cognitive emotion regulation strategies were also negatively associated with addiction proneness (r = -0.32, p ≤ 0.05), while negative strategies showed a significant positive relationship (r = 0.42, p ≤ 0.05). The proposed model demonstrated acceptable fit indices (NFI = 0.94, IFI = 0.94, CFI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.076). Results indicated that executive functions predicted addiction tendency both directly and indirectly through emotion regulation. Negative strategies acted as positive mediators, increasing addiction risk, whereas positive strategies served as protective mediators, reducing vulnerability.

Conclusions:The findings confirmed that the conceptual model fit the data well. By identifying individual factors that shape addiction proneness, this study provides a framework for designing targeted prevention programs. Such evidence-based interventions can reduce substance use among university students and foster healthier behavioral patterns, ultimately supporting their mental and social well-being.