Digital Occupational Balance and Addiction in University Students

Establishing Occupational Balance in the Digital World: An Analysis of Digital Addiction Through an Educational Intervention for University Students

Young people, who constitute approximately 1.7 billion of the global population, are significantly affected by screen exposure, cyberbullying, and various digital challenges. These issues alter young individuals' participation in daily life activities, increase levels of digital addiction, and disrupt occupational balance, leading to negative consequences for social and personal well-being. The deterioration of occupational balance may adversely affect youths' overall well-being, highlighting the need for occupational therapists to develop preventive and protective interventions for this population.

The proposed research is grounded in potential occupational therapy interventions targeting young people in Türkiye. Previous studies have demonstrated that technological advancements play a determining role in young individuals' daily lives. Considering that this situation may also influence academic performance, the present study has been designed to examine the effects of digital addiction on occupational competence and occupational balance among university students. The study will employ a Sociodemographic Information Form, the Digital Addiction Scale, the Occupational Self-Assessment, and the Activity-Role Balance Questionnaire. Following these assessments, participants will receive a structured educational intervention delivered by an expert instructor, focusing on the appropriate, safe, and meaningful use of technology. The effectiveness of the training will also be evaluated.

The target population of the study consists of individuals currently enrolled in higher education. The research will be conducted with students from Istanbul Gelisim University, located in the Avcılar district of Istanbul. The findings of this project are expected to provide occupational therapy students and practicing occupational therapists with an updated perspective on healthy technology use. In this context, practicing occupational therapists will contribute to the scientific development of the country.

Inclusion Criteria:

Voluntary participation in the study

Being between 18 and 24 years of age

Currently enrolled as a university student

Ability to read and understand Turkish

Exclusion Criteria:

Diagnosis of specific learning disability

Diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Being employed in addition to being a student