Efficacy of Behaviour Modification Therapy on the Internet Gaming Disorder of the Selected Filipino High School Students

Abstract

The excessive use of Internet in online gaming afflicted several adolescent students in such a way that they found it hard to control their gaming behaviour anymore. There were a lot of studies done as to the causes of this modern-day addiction but there was scarcity on the therapy program that will address the problematic thoughts and feelings associated with this behaviour. This study aimed to devise a Behaviour Modification Therapy (BMT) program that will reduce the frequency, intensity, and duration of their online gaming. In developing the therapy, a mixed method of quantitative and qualitative research using sequential explanatory design was utilized. This was composed of collection and analysis of quantitative data through pre-test on Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) 20-Test; compilation of qualitative data through related literatures and studies, Focused Group Discussions (FGD) and Training Needs Analysis (TNA). The data were used as bases in designing the eight (8) sessions of BMT. The respondents included in this research were the 11-19 years old public high school students who experienced excessive internet gaming. After the therapy sessions the post test on the (IGD) 20-Test was administered and the t-Test was used to find the difference. The Behaviour Modification Therapy was helpful and efficacious in reducing the IGD symptoms of the respondents. This can be adapted as psychotherapy for IGD.