Design and validation of a therapy program based on the internal family systems model and its efficacy on internet addiction

Different treatment approaches only target internet addiction symptoms and do not address its cause. The internal family systems model is a non-pathological and experiential approach to treating disorders that deals with the cause instead of the symptoms. Still, there is a research gap in designing and validating a treatment program based on this approach and investigating its efficacy on Internet Addiction.

This study aimed to design and validate a therapy program based on the internal family systems model and investigate its efficacy on Internet addiction.

The current research was conducted in two stages in a mixed method (qualitative and quantitative) way. In the first stage, a therapy program for internet addiction based on the internal family systems model was prepared in draft form, modified based on seven expert opinions, and validated by CVI and CVR indices. The method of the second phase of the research was a semi-experimental type with a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population includes all people with symptoms of Internet addiction (addiction to social networks) in WhatsApp, Telegram, and Instagram in the virtual space of Iran in the year 2021. The research sample consisted of 35 participants selected through the convenient sampling method and randomly assigned to the experimental group (17 people) and the control group (18 people). Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT) (1989) was used to evaluate Internet addiction symptoms. Data were analyzed using a differential t-test and repeated measure analysis by SPSS 22.

CVI and CVR indices were equal to 1, indicating the designed program's validity. The differential t-test results showed that the reduction of Internet addiction scores in the experimental group was significantly higher than in the control group (P<0001). Also, the repeated measure analysis results showed no difference between post-test and follow-up Internet addiction scores (P>05).

Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the therapy program designed based on the internal family systems approach is valid and reduces Internet addiction symptoms. The program can be used to treat internet addiction