The Effect of Mindfulness and Wisdom as Intervention to Deal with Collage Students' Internet Addiction

Abstract

Internet addiction is a problematic behavior characterized by excessive use of the Internet. It is common among college students and to harm to their academic performance, thus it has aroused the public attention in recent two decades. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of mindfulness and wisdom intervention on college students’ Internet addiction. Samples were screened with the Internet Addiction Test (IAT). The participants were asked to complete the IAT before the intervention, and they must obtain at least 31 points in IAT to meet diagnostic criteria of Internet addiction. Students’ interview data were collected and analyzed after these students attended the 9 days’ intensive mindfulness meditation practice and learned the Zen wisdom. In this study, a qualitative research method and the semi-structure interview were used to investigate changes in the participants after the intervention. The finding showed that mindfulness and wisdom intervention appeared to be effective approach as they can significantly reduce students’ Internet addiction, improve students’ self-awareness, self-control, concentration, sleeping quality and duration, thus helping them develop a more positive lifestyle.