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Cited by 134Impact of Technology on AdolescentsGambling Behavior and TreatmentsSexuality, Behavior, and Technology

Treatment efficacy of a specialized psychotherapy program for Internet Gaming Disorder

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Torres-Rodríguez, Alexandra, Griffiths, Mark D., Carbonell, Xavier, Oberst, Ursula·2018·Journal of Behavioral Addictions
DOI 10.1556/2006.7.2018.111PMC PMC6376389
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Abstract

Background and aims: Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) has become health concern around the world, and specialized health services for the treatment of IGD are emerging. Despite the increase in such services, few studies have examined the efficacy of psychological treatments for IGD. The primary aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a specialized psychotherapy program for adolescents with IGD [i.e., the “Programa Individualizado Psicoterapéutico para la Adicción a las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación” (PIPATIC) program]. Methods: The sample comprised 31 adolescents (aged 12–18 years) from two public mental health centers who were assigned to either the (a) PIPATIC intervention experimental group or (b) standard cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) control group. The interventions were assessed at pre-, middle-, and post-treatment phases, as well as a 3-month assessment was carried out after completing the interventions. Results: No significant differences between either group in the pre-treatment phase were found. Relating to the different interventions examined, significant differences were found at pre-test and post-test on the following variables: comorbid disorders, intrapersonal and interpersonal abilities, family relationships, and therapists’ measures. Both groups experienced a significant reduction of IGD symptoms, although the PIPATIC group experienced higher significant improvements in the remainder of the variables examined. Discussion and conclusions: The findings suggest that PIPATIC program is effective in the treatment of IGD and its comorbid disorders/symptoms, alongside the improvement of intra- and interpersonal abilities and family relationships. However, it should also be noted that standard CBT was also effective in the treatment of IGD. Changing the focus of treatment and applying an integrative focus (including the addiction, the comorbid symptoms, intra- and interpersonal abilities, and family psychotherapy) appear to be more effective in facilitating adolescent behavior change than CBT focusing only on the IGD itself.

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  • PIPATIC has been effective in reducing addiction and ensuring reintegration into the community in patients diagnosed with internet gaming disorder.

    “PIPATIC has been effective in reducing addiction and ensuring reintegration into the community in patients diagnosed with internet gaming disorder (31, 32).”

    From Reaching hidden youth in Singapore through the Hidden Youth Intervention Program: A biopsychosocial approach integrating mental health and social work interventions (2023) · cites this paper as [31]

    The Discussion reports reduced IGD symptoms and improved social abilities and family relationships in the PIPATIC group. It describes reintegration into normal life as a program aim, but does not establish that treatment ensured reintegration into the community. The supplied passages have section labels but no page numbers. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Torres-Rodríguez, A., Griffiths, M. D., Carbonell, X., & Oberst, U.
Affiliations
  • Universitat Ramon Llull (ES)
  • Nottingham Trent University (GB)
Corresponding author
Torres-Rodríguez, Alexandra
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Behavioral Addictions
Publisher
Akademiai Kiado Zrt.
Published
2018-11-14
Volume
7
Issue
4
Pages
939-952
ISSN
  • 2062-5871 (ISSN-L)
  • 2063-5303
DOI
10.1556/2006.7.2018.111
PMC
PMC6376389
OpenAlex
W2900645431
Cited by
134
References
14
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 52 · 2019: 5
FWCI
38.68
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Behavioral Addictions (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Nottingham Trent University's Institutional Repository (Nottingham Trent Repository) (acceptedVersion)
  • Repository of the Academy's Library (Library of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences) (acceptedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Gambling Behavior and Treatments
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
Keywords
internet gaming disorder, cognitive behavioral therapy, treatment efficacy, comorbidities, social skills, family relationships, family therapy, integrative therapy
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adolescent Behavior, Child, Child Behavior, Humans, Male, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavior, Addictive, Treatment Outcome, Video Games, Internet

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