Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction as a Treatment for Adolescent Social Media Addiction
Gina Sugiana Sugara, Salma Rachmawati, Muhammad Muhajirin, Anandha Putri Rahimsyah, Khairul Bariyyah, Idat Muqodas
Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling October 24, 2025 DOI: 10.1002/jaoc.70006 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAn 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, including body scan, sitting meditation, STOP, and RAIN techniques, led to a large reduction in social media addiction scores and a moderate increase in mindfulness levels among 22 adolescents. Improvements were seen in mood modification, escape, and relapse dimensions, but withdrawal, deception, and conflict showed no notable changes. The results suggest MBSR is a promising approach for addressing behavioral addictions and enhancing emotional regulation.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Pre-post intervention study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 22 |
| Population | Adolescents |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Keywords | Psychology |
| Key finding | MBSR significantly reduced social media addiction scores and increased mindfulness levels, with improvements in mood modification, escape, and relapse but not in withdrawal, deception, or conflict. |
Abstract
This study evaluates the effectiveness of an 8‐week Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention in reducing social media addiction among 22 adolescents. The program incorporated techniques such as body scan, sitting meditation, STOP, and RAIN meditation. Results indicated a significant reduction in social media addiction scores ( p < 0.001, d = 1.68) and an increase in mindfulness levels ( p < 0.001, d = 0.85). Specific dimensions, including mood modification, escape, and relapse, showed marked improvement, whereas withdrawal, deception, and conflict exhibited no notable changes. These findings underscore MBSR as a promising approach for addressing behavioral addictions and enhancing emotional regulation.