The Effect of Addiction Prevention Course on Behavioral Addictions and Disordered Eating Behavior

This study examined the impact of an Addiction Prevention course on university students’ behavioral addictions and eating behaviors, aiming to promote healthier lifestyle habits in higher education. The research focused on technology addiction, online shopping addiction, and disordered eating, which are increasingly prevalent among young adults. The sample consisted of 104 undergraduate students in Türkiye, with 52 assigned to the experimental group and 52 to the control group. The experimental group participated in a structured 10-week (20-hour) Addiction Prevention course, while the control group received no intervention. The program was delivered within a peer-interactive framework under the guidance of the researcher and incorporated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques, such as cognitive restructuring and self-regulation, along with motivation enhancement strategies to address deficits in self-control associated with behavioral addictions and disordered eating. A pretest–posttest control group design was employed. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, Technology Addiction Scale, Online Shopping Addiction Scale, and Eating Disorders Behavior Scale. Findings indicated significant reductions in behavioral addiction levels in the experimental group compared to the control group. Notable decreases were observed in subdimensions of technology addiction, including social media use, instant messaging, online gaming, and website usage. Improvements were also found in online shopping addiction and disordered eating behaviors. These results suggest that structured psychoeducational programs are effective in reducing behavioral addictions and promoting healthier habits among university students. Integrating such courses into university curricula and providing ongoing guidance services may help sustain these positive outcomes.