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Key study: Young (2007) CBT with internet addicts
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Can CBT help people whose internet use has got out of control? Kimberly Young tested this with clients at an online addiction clinic.
Aim and procedure
Sample: 114 clients at the Center for Online Addiction in the USA; 42% were women. All were screened with the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) to confirm the problem.
Procedure: clients received online CBT sessions over 12 sessions with a therapist. CBT helped them identify their problem applications and triggers, manage their time online, and challenge thoughts that justified overuse.
Outcomes were measured with a Client Outcome Questionnaire (12 questions on a 5-point scale) after the 3rd, 8th and 12th sessions and at a 6-month follow-up. Areas included motivation, online time management, social relationships, offline activities and abstaining from problem applications.
Results and conclusion
Ratings on the questionnaire improved from the 3rd session onwards. Most clients were managing their symptoms by the 8th session, and improvements were maintained at the 6-month follow-up.
Conclusion: CBT is an effective treatment for internet addiction, and its benefits last after therapy ends.
Strengths and weaknesses
Weaknesses: outcomes were self-reported, so clients may have exaggerated progress (social desirability). There was no control group without treatment, so we cannot be sure CBT caused the improvement. Most clients were well educated and white, so the results may not generalise.
Why did Young measure outcomes at a 6-month follow-up as well as during therapy?
- Improvements during therapy might not last.
- A follow-up shows whether benefits continue after therapy ends.
Answer: To find out whether CBT has long-term benefits that last after treatment ends.
Young gave 114 internet-addicted clients 12 online CBT sessions and measured outcomes at sessions 3, 8 and 12 and at 6 months. Most managed symptoms by session 8, and improvements were maintained at the 6-month follow-up. CBT works for internet addiction, but data were self-reported and there was no control group.
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