The Effect of a Family-based Intervention Model On Internet-addicted Chinese Adolescents

Abstract

We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a family-based intervention program for Internet addiction in Chinese adolescents. Adolescents (N = 57), diagnosed as having Internet addiction, were divided randomly into an intervention group (n = 28) and a control group (n = 29). Participants in the intervention group participated in a 14-session family-based group intervention while participants in the control group received conventional group therapy only. Assessment tools were administered to both groups at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups. Results indicted that the family-based group intervention is more effective in decreasing Internet use and enhancing family function.

Multi-family group therapy for adolescent Internet addiction: Exploring the underlying mechanisms

“…Based on prior family group intervention practices in treating adolescent psychopathology (Chien & Chan, 2013;McDonell & Dyck, 2004;Zhong et al, 2011), the current study is the first to our knowledge to apply the approach of MFGT in treating adolescents' Internet addiction. The adolescents' Internet addiction rate dropped from 100% at the baseline assessment to 4.8% at the end of the intervention and remained at 11.1% at the three-month follow-up assessment.…”

“…Previous research also proved that a good relationship and communication with parents are protective factors for adolescents from Internet addiction (Kim, Jeong, & Zhong, 2010;Van den Eijnden et al, 2010). Family members involved in interventions facilitate the process of recovery and help the addict maintain a lasting effect of intervention after sessions (Liddle, 2004;Zhong et al, 2011). Grounded in family system theory and integrated in family and group therapy, multi-family group therapy (MFGT) was proposed as a promising new approach to treat Internet addiction behaviors, but no empirical study was conducted (Liu et al, 2011).…”

“…The effectiveness of MFGT has been empirically demonstrated among adolescents with psychological disorders (Chien & Chan, 2013;McDonell & Dyck, 2004), children at risk for special educational services (Kratochwill, McDonald, Levin, Scalia, & Coover, 2009) and in addiction related areas (Conner et al, 1998;Zubrick et al, 2005). In this field, Zhong et al (2011) found that family-based intervention is more effective in reducing Internet addiction than group therapy that involved only the adolescents. The multi-family group offers both adults and adolescents the advantages of a peer group, which help them to get support and learn from peer confrontation.…”

Participación parental en intervenciones familiares para prevenir drogodependencias: una revisión empírica

“…Smit et al, 2008;Kaminski, Valle, Filene & Boyle, 2008) indicated that these interventions have demonstrated efficacy in preventing substance use and other child problem behaviors. These positive results have been reported in different settings (Aalborg et al, 2010;Letarte, Normandeau & Allard, 2010;Redmond et al, 2009;Henggeler & Schoenwald, 2011;Brook, McDonald & Yan, 2012;Donavan, Wood, Frayjo, Black & Surette, 2012), target groups (Mindel & Hoefer, 2006;Orte, Touza, Ballester & March, 2008;McDaniel, Braiden, Onyekwelu, Murphy & Regan, 2011;Posthumus, Raaimakers, Maassen, Engeland, & Matthys, 2012;Kumpfer, Whiteside, Greene & Allen, 2010), cultures (Skärstrand, Larsson & Andréasson, 2008;Pérez, et al, 2009;Kumpfer, Xie & O'Driscoll, 2012;Brotman et al, 2009;Ortega, Giannotta, Latina & Ciairano, 2012) and addicted behaviours (Trudeau, Spoth, Randall & Azevedo, 2007;Zhong, et al, 2011;Donovan et al, 2012). …”

“…Por ello, los componentes más importantes de estos programas incluyen la interacción positiva padres-hijos, enseñar a los padres a usar el "tiempo fuera", ofrecer reafirmación positiva, enseñar habilidades de comunicación y fijación de reglas. Las habilidades de resistencia social y a los coetáneos, el desarrollo de normas de conducta y buscar la compañía de coetáneos positivos, también se pueden abordar desde un programa universal basado en la familia para la prevención de las toxicodependencias (Lochman y Steenhoven, 2002 (Aalborg et al, 2010;Letarte, Normandeau y Allard, 2010;Redmond et al, 2009;Henggeler y Schoenwald, 2011;Brook, McDonald y Yan, 2012;Donavan, Wood, Frayjo, Black y Surette, 2012), grupos meta (Mindel y Hoefer, 2006;Orte, Touza, Ballester y March, 2008;McDaniel, Braiden, Onyekwelu, Murphy y Regan, 2011;Posthumus, Raaimakers, Maassen, Engeland, y Matthys, 2012;Kumpfer, Whiteside, Greene y Allen, 2010), culturas (Skärstrand, Larsson y Andréasson, 2008;Pérez, et al, 2009;Kumpfer, Xie y O'Driscoll, 2012;Brotman et al, 2009;Ortega, Giannotta, Latina y Ciairano, 2012) y conductas adictivas (Trudeau, Spoth, Randall y Azevedo, 2007;Zhong et al, 2011;Donovan et al, 2012).…”