Comparing the Effectiveness of Communication Skills Training and Emotion Regulation Training on Psychological Well-Being and Loneliness among Adolescents with Internet Addiction
Keywords:
Communication Skills Training, Emotion Regulation Training, Psychological Well-Being, Loneliness, Internet Addiction, AdolescentsAbstract
The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of communication skills training and emotion regulation training on psychological well-being and loneliness among adolescents with internet addiction. This applied study was conducted using a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with two experimental groups and one control group. The statistical population consisted of female adolescents aged 15–18 years with internet addiction studying in upper secondary schools during the 2024–2025 academic year. After initial screening using Young’s Internet Addiction Test, 45 eligible students were selected and randomly assigned into three equal groups (n = 15): communication skills training, emotion regulation training, and control. The first experimental group participated in eight sessions of communication skills training, and the second experimental group received eight sessions of emotion regulation training, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale and the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and Bonferroni post hoc test in SPSS software. The results of analysis of covariance showed a significant difference among the three groups in psychological well-being after controlling for pretest scores (F = 31.26, p = 0.001, η² = 0.604). Both communication skills training and emotion regulation training significantly increased psychological well-being compared with the control group. Moreover, a significant group effect was found for loneliness (F = 32.88, p = 0.001, η² = 0.616), indicating that both interventions significantly reduced loneliness among adolescents with internet addiction. The Bonferroni post hoc test revealed no significant difference between communication skills training and emotion regulation training in improving psychological well-being or reducing loneliness (p > 0.05). The findings indicated that both communication skills training and emotion regulation training are effective psychological interventions for enhancing psychological well-being and reducing loneliness among adolescents with internet addiction.
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