Efficacy of a Meaning and Emotion Regulation-Based Intervention for Problematic Interactive Media Use Among Chinese Rural Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background and Purpose:
Chinese rural adolescents face complex psychosocial challenges that heighten their vulnerability to problematic interactive media use (PIMU). Targeted interventions are essential to address PIMU and promote holistic development. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluated the efficacy of a meaning in life and emotion regulation-based intervention in reducing PIMU among rural Chinese adolescents, focusing on its potential to mitigate PIMU and improve psychosocial outcomes.

Methods:
The RCT was conducted from August 2022 to April 2023, involving 106 participants randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG, n = 53) or a waiting list control group (CG, n = 53). Participants attended four weekly 90-minute sessions led by trained school psychological counselors. Outcomes, including problematic social media use (PSMU), internet gaming disorder (IGD), and problematic smartphone use (PSU), as well as manipulation variables such as meaning in life states and emotion dysregulation, were assessed at baseline (T1), post-intervention (T2), and three-month follow-up (T3) using validated scales. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and post-hoc analyses.

Results:
Significant medium interaction effects were observed for PSMU (ηp² = .05), IGD (ηp² = .06), and PSU (ηp² = .07). Post hoc analyses revealed significant reductions in PSU within the IG at T2 (p < .001) and T3 (p = .014), while reductions in PSMU and IGD were less pronounced. The CG exhibited significant worsening in IGD at T2 and T3 (p < .001). At T2, the IG showed significantly lower levels of PSMU, IGD, and PSU compared to the CG (p < .05), though these differences diminished by T3, except for IGD (p = .025). Additionally, significant improvements in emotion dysregulation and meaning confusion were observed in the IG at T2 (p < .05). Short-term effects, sustained over three months, were notably maintained in emotion dysregulation and IGD.

Conclusions and Implications:
This RCT highlights the efficacy of a meaning in life and emotion regulation-based intervention in reducing PIMU among rural Chinese adolescents. The findings emphasize the critical roles of meaning confusion, meaning anxiety, and emotion regulation in addressing PIMU. These results bridge a practical-knowledge gap, providing evidence for tailored interventions in rural settings. Future research should optimize these strategies to enhance long-term efficacy and adaptability across diverse cultural and educational contexts. Given the rising prevalence of interactive media use among adolescents, this study underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to address PIMU in at-risk populations, particularly in the digital era.