J Korean Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry.  2018 Apr;29(2):73-79. 10.5765/jkacap.2018.29.2.73.

The Effects of Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on the Improvement of Depression and Anxiety in Adolescents with Problematic Internet Use

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Uijeongbu, Korea.
  • 2Department of Preventive Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 3Department of Psychiatry, St. Paul's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. neominnie@daum.net
  • 4Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract


OBJECTIVES
The overuse of the Internet among adolescents has increased dramatically in recent years, leading to pathological or problematic Internet use. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is known to be effective for the treatment of problematic Internet use, particularly for adolescents. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of group CBT for problematic Internet use in adolescents.
METHODS
A total of 17 patients aged 12-17 years who met Young's diagnostic questionnaire criteria of problematic Internet use participated in a school-based eight-session group CBT program. The level of problematic Internet use among participating students was measured using Young's Internet Addiction Scale (IAS). Depression and anxiety levels were evaluated using the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), respectively. Each construct was assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at a one-month follow-up visit. Statistical significance was based on a p-value of < 0.05.
RESULTS
Immediately after the program, the IAS, CDI, and State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) scores were significantly lower than before the program. At the one-month follow-up assessment, the IAS scores remained low, and the CDI and SAI scores were even lower than immediately after the program.
CONCLUSION
Group CBT was effective for adolescents with problematic Internet use, and was also demonstrated to improve depression and anxiety.

Keyword

Problematic Internet use; Depression; Anxiety; Group cognitive behavioral therapy

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Anxiety*
Cognitive Therapy*
Depression*
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Internet*
Full Text Links
  • JKACAP
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr