Speaker
Description
Authors: Gaia Cuomo (Eclectica+ Ricerca e Formazione Impresa Sociale srl), Franca Beccaria (Eclectica+ Ricerca e Formazione Impresa Sociale srl), Emanuela Rabaglietti (Psychology Department University of Turin), Aurelia De Lorenzo (Psychology Department University of Turin)
Background: For young people, the Internet represents a valuable resource for peer communication, identity exploration and socialization. However, rapid technological changes can interfere in daily life, negatively affecting mental health, emotional well-being, self-esteem, and the ability to interact with reality.
The Rete senza fili (“Wireless Network”) project aims to prevent Internet Addiction Disorder by reducing the risk of problematic and excessive use of digital tools, and by improving the Life Skills. The program is funded by the Italian Governmental Anti-Drug Department.
The intervention is described in a handbook specifically designed for primary school students (aged 10-11), comprising six classroom activity units.
Methods: The project includes a scientific evaluation using an experimental longitudinal-sequential design, with self-report questionnaires administered at two time point: pre-test (T1) and post-test (T2) in both experimental and control groups. A qualitative evaluation is also conducted using the co-evaluation approach.
The intervention aims to influence key mediators expected to affect outcome variables. These mediating variables include cognitive (critical thinking and creative thinking), emotional (self-awareness and emotion management), and relational (empathy, effective communication, effective relationships) life skills in a sample of children.
The research protocol was approved by the Ethical Committee of the University of Turino.
Results: Preliminary findings (first year of implementation) indicate that the experimental group improved their life skills and reduced the risk of Internet Addiction thanks to the intervention.
Discussion: Initial analysis suggests promising outcomes in terms of addiction prevention and well-being promotion, through Life Skills education, on attitudes and behaviors. Final results will be presented at the conference.
| Conflict of interest | No conflict of interest |
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