Effectiveness of a Nurse-Led Intervention for Adolescents With Problematic Internet Use.

Abstract

The current study assessed the effect of an intervention on problematic internet use (PIU), biopsychosocial functioning, and academic performance in 100 adolescents with PIU in grades 9 and 11 in Ernakulam District, Kerala, India. Students from four comparable schools were randomly assigned to experimental and wait-list control groups after being screened for PIU. The experimental group participated in a 10-week intervention and parents of these adolescents were provided with two sessions. The wait-list control group received the intervention after the posttest. A PIU questionnaire, sociodemographic data, internet usage pattern, a biopsychosocial functioning tool, and academic performance were used to assess participants at baseline and immediately after and 3 months postintervention. Findings revealed significant differences in PIU; physical, psychological, and social functioning; and academic performance immediately and 3 months postintervention (p < 0.05). Thus, the intervention was effective in reducing PIU among adolescents and improved their physical, psychological, and social functioning and academic performance. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 58(7), 16-26.].