Scientists from Sungkyunkwan University have developed a new psychological program that helped students reduce symptoms of video game addiction, lower stress and anxiety levels, and improve self-control.
The findings were published in the journal Mindfulness.
The program, called MBCT-G (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Gaming Disorder), is based on an approach previously used to treat depression but adapted to the specific characteristics of internet gaming disorder.
Internet gaming disorder is a condition in which excessive gaming begins to seriously interfere with education, work, and everyday life. The problem is particularly common among students who use gaming as a way to cope with stress after becoming more independent.
The study involved 46 students at high risk of gaming addiction. Over eight weeks, they took part in sessions that included mindfulness practices, social skills training, and self-care strategies.
Participants were also taught to recognize their own thoughts, emotions, and urges before starting to play, helping them avoid automatically acting on a strong desire to game. In addition, the students planned alternative activities they could enjoy, including physical activity, socializing, creative pursuits, and other forms of recreation.
After completing the program, participants showed significant reductions in symptoms of gaming addiction, as well as lower levels of stress and anxiety. The most notable improvement was in their ability to control their impulses, an effect that remained even one month after the program ended.
According to study leader Professor Anderson Seong-min Yoon, the program could become an effective tool for helping young people who become caught in a cycle of uncontrolled gaming during challenging periods of their lives.
The researchers believe that MBCT-G could be particularly useful for university counseling services and gaming addiction prevention centers because group-based sessions require fewer resources than individual therapy.
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