Long-term effects of psychosocial interventions on internet-related disorders: A meta-analysis

Previous meta-analytic reviews show that psychosocial interventions targeting Internet addiction and gaming disorder have positive effects on improving the addiction severity, time spent online, and some mental health symptoms. However, the impacts on other outcomes such as psychosocial competence and well-being, and the sustainability of the intervention effects are unclear. This meta-analysis aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of available evidence on the effectiveness of intervention on these broader range of intervention outcomes. A systematic search retrieved relevant studies published before March 31, 2022. A total of 34 studies (N = 2218) met the inclusion criteria, yielding a significant intervention effect with a large pooled effect size (Cohen's d = 1.790; 95% CI [1.365, 2.214], p < .001) on addiction severity and the effect sustained during a 6-month follow up period, although the effect size slightly decreased at 1-month. The interventions also had positive effects on a wide range of outcomes, such as time spent online, inattentiveness or impulsivity, anxiety, depression, internalizing and externalizing problems, general health, relationship quality, social competence, peer or social problems, and life satisfaction or quality of life. The moderator analyses revealed various study and intervention characteristics that influenced the effect sizes.

Automated summary

Previous studies have shown that psychosocial interventions targeting Internet addiction and gaming disorder have positive effects on addiction severity, time spent online, and mental health symptoms. However, the impacts on psychosocial competence and well-being, as well as the sustainability of intervention effects, are still unclear. This meta-analysis provides a comprehensive analysis of available evidence and finds that interventions have a significant positive effect on addiction severity and sustain this effect over a 6-month period. Additionally, interventions also have positive effects on various outcomes, including time spent online, mental health symptoms, and overall well-being.