Objectives:
To explore the mediating role of negative resources distribution in the relationship between sense of hopelessness and intensity of self-aggression in problematic substance users. Beck’s concept was used to define sense of hopelessness, while Gaś’s concept of psychological aggression syndrome was used to define self-aggressive behavior. Two dimensions of this syndrome were crucial for our research ‒ self-destructive tendencies and hostility towards oneself. The mediating functions of resource distribution consistent with the desperation principle are described based on Conservation of Resources Theory by Hobfoll.

Methods:
The study encompassed 606 individuals. The mean age was 42.58. The study used the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) in the Polish adaptation by Oleś and Juros, the Psychological Inventory of Aggression Syndrome (IPSA), and the Polish adaptation of Hobfoll’s Conservation of Resources-Evaluation (COR-E).

Results:
Our research showed a significant positive correlation between sense of hopelessness and intensity of self-destructive behaviors in problematic substance users. Distribution of resources is a mediator of the relationship between feeling of hopelessness and the frequency of self-aggressive behaviors: an increase in the feeling of hopelessness leads to a significant unfavorable distribution of resources, while an unfavorable distribution of resources co-occurs with an increased risk of self-destructive behaviors.

Conclusions:
In a group of problematic substance users, intensity of their sense of hopelessness is correlated with a tendency to self-aggressive behaviors. Distribution of resources moderates this correlation.