Identifying internet addiction profiles and bridge connectors among Chinese college students and evaluating CBT vs. CBT+MBI interventions via a randomized controlled trial / Shuhong Liang [et al.]
Bibliogr.: p. 1602-1605. - Abstr. eng. - DOI: https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.2025.00086
In: Journal of Behavioral Addictions. - ISSN 2062-5871, eISSN 2063-5303. - 2025. 14. évf. 4. sz., p. 1590-1605. : ill.
Background and Aims: The Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution (I-PACE) model offers a framework for understanding the interplay between cognitive, affective, and behavioral factors in internet addiction (IA). Our study aims to explore the heterogeneity of IA, identify bridge connectors, and compare the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy combined with mindfulness-based intervention (CBTtMBI) versus CBT alone in reducing IA levels among Chinese college students. Methods: In study 1, 1,030 Chinese college students completed assessments of IA, automatic thoughts, self-control, and anxiety. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was employed to identify distinct symptom profiles of IA across individuals. Network analysis (NA) identified bridge connectors for targeted intervention. In study 2, 36 participants randomly selected from the high IA and low IA groups of study 1 were randomly assigned to CBTtMBI, CBT alone, or a control group. The CBTtMBI group received an 8-week dual-modality intervention and the CBT alone received an 8-week CBT intervention, both designed to target the bridge connectors identified via NA in Study 1, while the control group only completed basic questionnaires. Results: In study 1, LPA identified four subgroups: regular, at-risk, low IA, and high IA groups. NA pinpointed automatic thoughts and anxiety as bridge connectors. In study 2, targeted interventions significantly reduced college students? levels of IA. CBTtMBI resulted in greater and more sustained improvements compared to CBT alone, with effects maintained for sixmonth post-intervention. Conclusions: Our study not only reinforces the I-PACE model but also provides actionable strategies for designing evidence-based, multidimensional interventions to reduce addictive behaviors among college students. Kulcsszavak: internet addiction, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based intervention, latent profile analysis, network analysis, I-PACE model