The Effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing Counseling for Mothers on the Digital Addiction Level of their Children

Ahmed Ibrahim Zahra, Nehad; Abdel-Latif Abdel-Sattar, Sahar; Ramadan Mohamed Abdel-Wahab, Asmaa

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2024.399524

The Effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing Counseling for Mothers on the Digital Addiction Level of their Children

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Assistant Professor of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Benha University, Egypt. & Assistant Medical Sciences department, Applied College, University of Tabuk, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

² Assistant Medical Sciences department, Applied College, University of Tabuk, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

³ Lecturer of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Benha University, Egypt.

10.21608/ejhc.2024.399524

Abstract

Background: Children and adolescents' learning and daily lives are significantly affected by digital devices, which are a global concern, including their overuse or addiction. Therefore, digital addiction is recognized as a serious public health issue on a global level. So, it is crucial to apply preventative and intervention strategies that motivate individuals to exercise more control over the use of digital devices. Motivating interviewing is a counseling approach that involves enhancing a patient's motivation to change. Aim: The study's purpose was to assess the effectiveness of motivational interviewing counseling for mothers on the digital addiction level of their children. Design: quasi-experimental included study and control groups. Setting: The study was carried out at pediatric outpatient clinics of Benha University Hospital. Sample: Simple random sampling technique was used in this study. It includes 200 mothers (100 for control group and 100 for study group).Tools: two tools were utilized for data collection, I: pre-designed questionnaire, to assess the demographic of the selected mothers and the personal data of children and technology using frequency of the child. II: The digital addiction scale for children to assess the digital addiction level in children. Results: There were highly statistically significance difference between two studied groups regarding all items related to studied children's technology addiction score post motivational interviewing counselling implementation. Conclusion: Motivational interviewing counselling is effective in decreasing the level of children digital addiction. Recommendations: Training and counselling programs are important for all community especially children to equip them by essential knowledge and to increase their awareness regarding digital addiction.

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