Comparison of the Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Internet Addiction and Narrative Therapy on Constructive and Unconstructive Problem-Solving Components in Adolescent Girls

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for Internet addiction and narrative therapy on constructive and unconstructive problem-solving skills in adolescent girls. A semi-experimental design with pretest, posttest, and two-month follow-up and a control group was used. Sixty adolescent girls with symptoms of Internet addiction were purposively selected and randomly assigned to cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, or control groups (20 each). Both interventions were delivered in eight sessions of 75–95 minutes. The Cassidy and Long Problem-Solving Questionnaire was administered across three stages. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests. Both therapeutic approaches significantly improved constructive problem solving and reduced unconstructive problem solving compared with the control group. No significant difference was found between the effectiveness of the two interventions. Changes from pretest to posttest and follow-up were significant, while no significant difference was observed between posttest and follow-up. Cognitive behavioral therapy and narrative therapy are equally effective in enhancing constructive problem solving and reducing unconstructive problem solving among adolescent girls with symptoms of Internet addiction, making both suitable options for use in psychological counseling settings.