What's Happening?
A research team led by Professor Anderson Sungmin Yoon and Minah Kim from Sungkyunkwan University has developed a program called Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Gaming (MBCT-G) to address internet gaming disorder among college students. The program,
which combines mindfulness meditation with cognitive therapy, was tested on 46 college students at high risk of gaming disorder. Over an eight-week period, participants engaged in mindfulness meditation, social skills, and self-care strategies, along with alternative activities like physical and creative hobbies. The study found significant reductions in gaming addiction symptoms, stress, and anxiety among participants, with improvements in self-control persisting a month after the program ended.
Why It's Important?
The findings of this study are significant as they offer a potential psychological intervention for internet gaming disorder, a growing public health issue among young adults. The disorder can severely disrupt daily life, particularly for college students who may use gaming as a stress relief mechanism. The MBCT-G program could be a valuable tool for college counseling centers and gaming addiction prevention centers, as it requires fewer clinical resources due to its group-format delivery. This approach could help address gaming disorder-related problems more efficiently, providing a sustainable solution for students struggling with gaming addiction.
What's Next?
If widely adopted, the MBCT-G program could become a standard intervention in college counseling centers, helping students manage gaming addiction more effectively. The program's success may lead to further research and adaptation for other age groups or settings. Additionally, the study's results could encourage the development of similar mindfulness-based interventions for other behavioral addictions, expanding the scope of psychological treatments available for young adults.
