Perceptions and Targeted Behavioral Change Interventions for Social Networking Site Addiction in School-going Adolescents of Karachi: A Concurrent Embedded Mixed-methods Case Study
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 已完成
- 入组人数
- 260
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Change in Social Networking Site Addiction Score using Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS)
研究概览
简要总结
Addiction to Social Networking Sites (SNS) is considered a major public health problem and is well recognized around the world with serious social and health-related implications. There have been numerous studies that have been undertaken to examine the prevalence and severity of SNS addiction in Pakistani undergraduates. However, there are limited studies that have been done on the school-going adolescent population, especially in Pakistan. More importantly, there have been no interventions done to improve the minimization of the level of SNS addiction in this vulnerable cohort. This study will evaluate the effect of implementing targeted interventions for reducing the burden of SNS addiction so that in the future, evidence-based decisions may be taken and changes are incorporated in school curriculums.
Objective The specific objectives of this study are to estimate the prevalence of SNS addiction and to explore the perceptions of school-going adolescents regarding SNS addiction in metropolitan Karachi, Pakistan. It will further aim to introduce well-designed, online, tailored behavioral change interventions amongst students found with a high burden for significantly decreasing the prevalence of SNS addiction and for assessing their readiness to change.
Methodology This will be a mixed-methods concurrent embedded interventional study. The study will be conducted in selected private schools of Karachi in all its seven Districts. Prevalence will be assessed online by sharing an internationally validated tool with the students after getting students and their parent's consent. Concurrently, focus group discussions will be conducted in school premises with selected students from grades VI-XI. Once prevalence is ascertained, interventions will be designed to reduce levels of SNS addiction. Students will be randomly assigned to control and intervention groups and will be shown carefully designed interventions in the form of videos targeting specific domains of addiction. The effects of these interventions and readiness to change will be assessed after a period of three months.
详细描述
Addiction to Social Networking Sites (SNS) has emerged as a growing public health concern globally, with documented associations with psychological distress, academic decline, sleep disturbances, and impaired social functioning. While several studies in Pakistan have examined the prevalence and severity of SNS addiction among university students, there is a significant research gap concerning school-going adolescents-a population particularly vulnerable due to early and widespread digital exposure. Notably, no behavioral intervention studies have been conducted in Pakistan targeting the reduction of SNS addiction among adolescents. Addressing this gap is critical for informing preventive strategies and school-based digital wellness programs.
This study aims to assess the burden of SNS addiction among adolescents enrolled in private schools in Karachi and to evaluate the effectiveness of structured, online, behavioral change interventions tailored specifically for this age group. By generating actionable evidence, the study seeks to support future policy recommendations and integration of digital well-being content into school curricula.
Objectives
The primary objectives of this study are:
To estimate the prevalence and severity of Social Networking Site addiction among school-going adolescents in Karachi using an internationally validated assessment tool.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Non Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Prevention
- 盲法
- None
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 11 Years 至 16 Years（Child）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Age between 11-16 years
- •Either male or female (or any other gender)
- •User of any of the listed social media (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, Snapchat, Tumblr, TikTok or Discord) for the past one year
- •In possession of a functioning laptop/smartphone for attending online intervention vlogs and receiving text messages
排除标准
- •Any student undergoing psychiatric or psychological treatment/ counseling
- •Any student taking anti-psychotics or any treatment for chronic disorders (diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, asthma)
- •Any student suffering from chronic mental illness, e.g. depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, etc.
- •Any student who has suffered a major trauma in the past year, e.g. death of a loved one, accident, etc.
研究组 & 干预措施
intervention arm
Description and content:
Students in the intervention arm will receive a structured package of online, pre-recorded behavioral change videos specifically tailored for adolescents. Content domains include:
Emotional regulation and coping skills
Time management and self-monitoring of SNS use
Sleep hygiene and evening routines
Alternatives to SNS (physical activity, hobbies, face-to-face socializing)
Awareness of risks, privacy, and cyber-safety
Videos are short (5-8 minutes each), modular, and age-appropriate. The full intervention comprises 4 weekly modules delivered over 4 weeks, with follow-up reinforcement messages during weeks 5-12.
Timing: Intervention delivered over 4 weeks, with follow-up assessments at 3 months post-baseline.
干预措施: awareness videos (Behavioral)
control group
Description:
Students in control schools will not receive the behavioral video intervention during the 3-month study period and will continue their usual school activities.
Control group students will receive standard health promotion pamphlets unrelated to SNS behavior (to maintain basic equity of information) if required by school administration.
After completion of follow-up data collection (3 months), the intervention package will be offered to control group students (delayed-intervention / wait-list) to ensure ethical fairness and benefit sharing.
Timing: No active intervention during the 3-month evaluation window. Post-study access to intervention materials will be provided.
结局指标
主要结局
Change in Social Networking Site Addiction Score using Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS)
时间窗: from baseline to 3 months post intervention
This outcome will assess the change in social networking site addiction levels among participating adolescents from baseline to 3 months follow-up. The Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), a validated 6-item self-report tool, will be used to measure addiction severity. Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale (1-5), yielding a total score range of 6 to 30, with higher scores indicating greater risk of addiction. Unit of Measure: Score (range 6-30) (Change in total BSMAS score from baseline to 3-month follow-up)
Readiness to Change Score using the Readiness to Change Questionnaire (SOCRATES - Adapted for SNS use)
时间窗: intervention for a month and follow-up of 3 months
Readiness to change problematic social networking site (SNS) use will be assessed using the SOCRATES (Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale) adapted specifically for SNS behaviors. The SOCRATES tool consists of three subscales: Recognition - awareness of problematic SNS use Ambivalence - uncertainty about behavior change Taking Steps - active efforts to reduce problematic SNS use Participants respond to Likert-scale items (1-5), and subscale scores are summed to generate total scores for each domain. Higher scores indicate greater readiness and motivation to change SNS-related behaviors. Unit of Measure: Subscale Score (continuous) Recognition Score (range depends on adapted item count) Ambivalence Score Taking Steps Score
次要结局
未报告次要终点
研究者
Dr. Zaeema Ahmer
PhD Scholar
Dow University of Health Sciences