4-STEP-Training Program for Social Media Addiction (4-STEP-TPS) Among Young Adults

Development and Validation of a 4-STEP-Training Program for Social Media Addiction (4-STEP-TPS) Among Young Adults: A Randomized Control Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to develop a comprehensive Training Program intervention for social media addiction called the 4-STEP-Training Program for Social Media Addiction (4-STEP-TPS) and to learn if the 4-STEP-TPS will address and help manage the problems related to social media addiction. Other key objectives include the management of dysfunctional patterns, the promotion of positive patterns and healthy lifestyle, and the promotion of daily life activities and productivity.

Young Adult participants will take the 4-week 4-STEP-TPS Program with 1 weekly session in either individual or group settings or be placed on a waitlist control.

Participants In this research, a sample of N=400 young adults will be initially enrolled for eligibility screening assessment from all over Pakistan using purposive sampling techniques. The participants' age range will be 18-30 years having no physical/psychiatric/psychological conditions. N=90 participants after the eligibility assessment and screening will be allocated to experimental and waitlist treatment condition.

Expected Outcomes This study will provide valuable information to the mental health practitioners to treat and develop the guidelines and protocol for young adults with social media addiction. This 4-STEP-Training Program will provide understanding and insight to the participants about the problems related to social media addiction. Further, this training program will address the dysfunctional patterns associated with social media addiction, including FoMO and phubbing, as well as fatigue, insomnia, and psychological distress. Moreover, this training program will improve participants' productivity and flourishing while significantly reducing the level of social media addiction.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age range: 18-30 years
• No physical, psychiatric, or psychological conditions
• Minimum score of 84 on the Social Networking Addiction Scale (SNAS)
• Minimum score of 60 on the Secure Flourish Index (SFI)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age below 18 or above 30 years
• Presence of any physical, psychiatric, or psychological conditions
• Score below 84 on the Social Networking Addiction Scale (SNAS)
• Score below 60 on the Secure Flourish Index (SFI)