The Effect of Motivational Interviewing Based on Stages of Change on Digital Game Addiction Levels of Nursing Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of motivational interviewing, based on the stages of change, on levels of digital game addiction.Methods: This study, designed as a pretest- posttest randomized controlled trial, included 62 nursing students as participants. Data were collected using the ‘Personal Information Form’, ‘Stages of Change Questionnaire Form’ and ‘Digital Game Addiction’. The experimental group, which was randomly selected, received two motivational interviews, each lasting 30-40 minutes, twice per month. No application was made to the control group except for the application of data collection tools. The data were analysed by chi-square, t-test in independent groups, t-test in dependent groups and ANOVA, and the Cronbach’s alpha value of the scale was calculated.Results: The mean total scores of the Digital Game Addiction Scale for the experimental group's participants were 18.90±3.56 at pre-test and 17.96±2.83 at post-test. It was determined that the experimental group showed a statistically significant decrease in mean total score on the Digital Game Addiction Scale, with the difference between pre-test and post-test mean total scores significant (P= .001). For participants in the control group, the mean total scores on the Digital Game Addiction Scale were 19.87±2.98 at pre-test and 19.93±2.63 at post-test (P= .070).Conclusion: The study found that motivational interviewing is effective in reducing digital game addiction. The findings revealed the effectiveness of motivational interviewing among university students in reducing digital game addiction and the critical role nurses play in this process.