4-STEP-Training Program for Doomscrolling, Cyberchondriac Behavior and Psychiatric Symptoms (4-STEP-TPS) Among Individuals With Social Media Addiction
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: 4-STEP-Training Program for Social Media Addiction (4-STEP-TPS).
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Doomscrolling, Cyberchondriac Behavior, Social Media Addiction. Basic parameters: 18 years — 29 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Pakistan
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Effectiveness of 4-Step Training Program for Doomscrolling, Cyberchondriac Behavior and Psychiatric Symptoms Among Individuals With Social Media Addiction: A Randomized Trial
Overview
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of the 4-Step Training Program for Social Media Addiction (4-STEP-TPS) in reducing social media addiction, doomscrolling, cyberchondriac behavior, depressive symptoms, and health anxiety among young adults. The study aims to promote healthier digital habits, psychological well-being, and improved daily functioning. Participants with elevated social media addiction will complete a 4-week intervention with one session per week. They will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a waitlist control group. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will be conducted to determine the program's effectiveness.
Detailed description
In this research, a sample of approximately N = 300 young adults will be initially enrolled for eligibility screening from public and private universities in Faisalabad and Sahiwal, Pakistan, using purposive sampling techniques. Participants will be aged between 18 and 28 years and will have no history of severe physical, psychiatric, or psychological disorders. After eligibility assessment and screening based on standardized measures, N = 80 participants will be selected and randomly allocated to the experimental and waitlist control groups.
This study is expected to provide valuable evidence for mental health practitioners regarding effective interventions for managing social media addiction among young adults. The 4-STEP Training Program is anticipated to enhance participants' awareness and understanding of problematic digital behaviors, including doomscrolling and cyberchondriac behavior. The intervention is also expected to reduce depressive symptoms and health anxiety, improve self-regulation and promote healthier digital habits. Furthermore, the program is expected to enhance psychological well-being, academic functioning, and overall productivity while significantly reducing levels of social media addiction.
Interventions
- Behavioral 4-STEP-Training Program for Social Media Addiction (4-STEP-TPS)
4 Modules with 1 Module being delivered in 1 weekly session of approximately 90 minutes. The details of each module/step is described as follows: Step 1 (Module 1): S = Screening, Assessment and Psychoeducation: Involves screening and assessment of the problem, interpretation of the results, feedback and psychoeducation, identifying and breaking the resistance, motivation, and conceptualization. Step 2 (Module 2): T = Treatment Conceptualization and Planning: Involves pattern identification, dis
Primary outcome measures
- Social Networking Addiction Scale (SNAS) [Time frame: At screening, after 4 weeks, and reassessment up to 6 months]
- Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS-12) [Time frame: At screening, after 4 weeks, and reassessment up to 6 months]
- Doomscrolling Scale (DS) [Time frame: At screening, after 4 weeks, and reassessment up to 6 months]
- Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI) [Time frame: At screening, after 4 weeks, and reassessment up to 6 months]
- Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) [Time frame: At screening, after 4 weeks, and reassessment up to 6 months]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Age range: 18-29 years
- No physical, psychiatric, or psychological conditions
- Minimum score of 84 on the Social Networking Addiction Scale (SNAS)
- Minimum score of 23 on the Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS-12)
Exclusion criteria
- Age below 18 or above 29 years
- Presence of any physical, psychiatric, or psychological conditions
- Score below 84 on the Social Networking Addiction Scale (SNAS)
- Score below 23 on the Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS-12)
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Pakistan · 1 center
- Government College University Faisalabad — Faisalabad
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07663708 · GCUF_CT_STP