The Effectiveness of Emotion-focused Group Therapy on the Reduction of Negative Emotions and Internet Addiction Symptoms

Background: Regarding the relationship between emotional symptoms and addictive behaviors and their practical and quick treatments, this study aimed to investigate the efficacy of emotion-focused group therapy (EFGT) on the reduction of negative emotions and Internet addiction symptoms. Methods: This was an experimental study with a pre-test, post-test control group design. The study participants included 40 students of the University of Bu-Ali-Sina in Hamedan City, Iran, that were selected by convenience and purpose-based sampling method. The participants were selected and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (n=20 for each group). The experimental group participated in 12 one-hour sessions of EFGT, but the control group did not receive an intervention. For data collection, Kimberly Young's Internet addiction test and the positive and negative affection scale were used. Data analysis was done in SPSS V. 16. Findings: Emotion-focused group therapy reduces the negative emotions and the Internet addiction symptoms (i.e. social problems, impact on performance, lack of control, pathological use, and neglecting duties) (P<0.001). It also increased positive emotions (P<0.001). Conclusion: According to the results, emotional strategies can be used as guidance in the clinical interview of Internet addiction problems. Also, emotional interventions can be used to improve the clinical symptoms and increase the positive emotions, to protect against the pathological Internet use disorder.