The effectiveness of reality therapy based psycho-education program regarding decreasing the level of problematic internet usage of adolescents

The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of 10 session psycho educational program (EPIK-GETPEP) which was developed within the scope of the research to decrease the problematic internet usage level of adolescents. Embedded design, which is one of the mixed method researches, was used in the research. In the quantitative experimental stage of the research, experiment, control and placebo x pretest-posttest-follow-up test design was used. In addition, qualitative data were obtained with the focus group interview after the experiment. The study was started with 12 adolescents in each group, but it was completed with 11 adolescents (7 female, 4 male) in the experimental group, 12 (8 female, 4 male) in the placebo group, and 11 (6 female, 5 male) in the control group due to the loss of test subjects during the experiment. The data of the research was collected via Problematic Internet Usage Scale-Adolescent Form, Basic Needs Scale and Personal Information Questionnaire. The quantitative findings obtained from the research indicated that as a result of the experimental process EPIK-GETPEP has a significant effect on decreasing problematic internet usage levels of adolescents and meeting the need for love and belonging; however it does not have a significant effect on the level of meeting other (freedom, fun and strength) psychological needs. There was no significant difference between the control and placebo (interaction) groups. Moreover, the findings of the focus group interview conducted with the experimental group revealed that adolescents gained awareness of internet use, their frequency of internet use decreased and their aims changed, and also they tried to meet their psychological needs in a social environment. In addition, in the program impact assessment questionnaire which was applied three months later, it was concluded that the effect of the program continued. Keywords: Problematic internet use, Internet addiction, Psychological need, Reality therapy, Psycho-education program, Adolescent