The effect of Satir model-based group intervention on problematic smartphone use among college students: a randomized controlled trial

Problematic smartphone use is prevalent among youth and negatively impacts their mental health. Interpersonal problems may be a key contributing factor to this problematic smartphone use. To address this issue, a randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a Satir model-based group intervention. The study recruited 74 college students with problematic smartphone use from a university, who were randomly assigned to two groups. After excluding 4 participants due to withdrawal or incomplete data, 70 students (mean age = 18.71 ± 0.90 years) completed the trial, including 21 males and 49 females. Participants were assigned to a Satir model–based group intervention (n =3 4) or a control group (n = 36) that received no psychological intervention. The experimental group received a 22-day Satir model-based group intervention. The Mobile Phone Addiction Tendency Scale (MPATS) and the College Students' Interpersonal Relationship Comprehensive Diagnostic Scale (CS-IRCDS) were used to assess participants' problematic smartphone use and interpersonal problems at baseline and at baseline and post-intervention. The intervention led to significant reductions in interpersonal problems and in problematic smartphone use. The core indicators of problematic smartphone use—withdrawal reactions, salience, social comfort, and mood change—were also reduced following the group intervention. Moreover, the reduction in interpersonal problems significantly mediated the relationship between the intervention and decreases in problematic smartphone use and its core symptoms, particularly withdrawal and social comfort. The Satir model-based group intervention significantly reduced both problematic smartphone use and interpersonal problems, providing valuable insights for both theory and practice. • The study examined the relationship between interpersonal problems and problematic smartphone use, finding a strong association between them. • Satir model-based group intervention significantly reduced both problematic smartphone use and interpersonal problems. • A significant mediating effect was observed, with reduced interpersonal problems explaining the decrease in smartphone use and its core symptoms, particularly withdrawal and social comfort.