Effect of an Intervention Based on the Health Action Process Approach Model on Mobile Phone Addiction in Adolescents

Li Zhang; Xu Chen; Liang Zhu

doi:10.18502/ijph.v53i6.15902

Li Zhang School of Economics & Management, Wuchang Institute of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
Xu Chen School of Economics & Management, Wuchang Institute of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
Liang Zhu School of Economics & Management, Wuchang Institute of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v53i6.15902

Keywords: Mobile phone addiction; Health action process approach (HAPA) model; Self-efficacy; Life satisfaction

Abstract

Background: Mobile phone addiction in adolescents is a serious social problem that not only negatively affects physical and mental health but also hinders social stability and development. However, studies on interventions for mobile phone addiction in adolescents are still few. Therefore, exploring interventions for mobile phone addiction in adolescents and scrutinizing the corresponding mechanism of action are crucial.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted on 800 adolescents who were recruited using random sampling from communities in Hubei Province, China in 2023, and 232 of them were identified to have mobile phone addiction. Then, they were randomly divided into the experiment group, comprising 119 members, and the control group, composed of 113 members. The experiment group was given a 3-month intervention under the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model, whereas the control group was given no intervention.

Results: This intervention significantly reduced the level of mobile phone addiction in adolescents (P<0.05). It also significantly improved self-efficacy in adolescents with mobile phone addiction (P<0.05). The intervention can significantly improved life satisfaction in adolescents with mobile phone addiction (P<0.05). Self-efficacy and life satisfaction had a chain mediating effect (P<0.001).

Conclusion: The HAPA model is conducive to alleviating mobile phone addiction. It further enhances the intervention effect by improving self-efficacy and life satisfaction in adolescents.