Effect of Educational Intervention on Reducing Mobile Phone Addiction: Application of Transtheoretical Model

Abstract

Background: Mobile phone addiction (MPA) among students leads to significant psychological changes. Therefore, modifying mobile phone usage (MPU) patterns using behavioral change theories and models can be beneficial. The transtheoretical model (TTM) is commonly employed in the field of addictive behaviors. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effect of an intervention based on TTM on MPA in female primary school students. Methods: This experimental study included 72 students (36 participants in each group) randomly selected from girls' primary schools in Bushehr. The data collection tool comprised a questionnaire covering demographic factors, stage of changes, decisional balance (DC), self-efficacy (SE), excessive mobile phone use, and an MPA questionnaire. The training was conducted through motivational interview sessions: Two for participants in the preparation stage and three for those in the pre-contemplation and contemplation stages, utilizing the constructs of the TTM. After 3 months, the collected data were analyzed using SPSS software with a significance level of less than 0.05. Results: The findings indicated similarities between the two groups before the study. Following the intervention, the training led to a significant increase in the mean score of SE and DC distribution count of excessive MPU (P = 0.013) and stage of change (P < 0.001) over time between the two groups. Mobile phone addiction significantly decreased in the intervention group three months after training (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Education based on TTM can effectively reduce MPA in students.