Intervention for Technology use among Families with Adolescents: A Case Series

Abstract

Family intervention has an important role in promotion of healthy use of technology. The two families who had concerns about their children’s use of technology sought help on how to handle it. The internet addiction test (IAT) was used for screening purposes, and the McMaster model was used to assess family functioning. Family variables such as poor communication, increased negative expressed emotions, and diminished family cohesiveness were found to be the maintaining factors. Both families received systemic and structural therapy, with the outcomes indicating a decrease in excessive use of technology and an increase in family communication, positive expressed emotions, and overall increased family cohesiveness. The case study emphasizes the importance of family intervention programs in the treatment of technology addiction.

Keywords

• adolescent
• family
• technology
• treatment