Informatics Publishing Limited

Arrackal Annamma Thomas ¹, Lucila Ortiz Bance ²

Affiliations
1 The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila,, PH
2 Department of Clinical Psychology, The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila,, PH

Abstract

Adolescents' Pathological Internet Use (PIU) is on the rise reaching epidemic proportions and is a serious public health concern worldwide. Empirical studies linking PIU with functional impairment in various domains of life identify the affected person with a lower functional quality in his/her daily life. This research looked into the effectiveness of the program 'Self-regulation and Quality of Life Intervention' (SQOLIP) in minimizing PIU and enhancing the life quality of adolescents with PIU from the state of Kerala, South India. The SQOLIP was developed using a mixed method-multiphase research design and a randomized controlled trial with two groups including thirty-six (36) participants. The severity of PIU and the degree of quality of life of the study groups were tested using the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and WHOQOL-Bref scale. Results of the post-test scores in the t-test, the experimental group exhibited significant changes when compared with the scores of its pre-test and showed a large effect by Cohen's d test on the degree of effectiveness of the SQOLIP. The outcomes of the research signified that the SQOLIP brought about profound changes in the behaviour of the participants in the tested group evidencing it as effective. Future research is suggested for experimental studies on the effectiveness and its compliances on a larger sample with PIU, having diverse cultural backgrounds to maximize its benefits and uphold its utility.

Keywords

adolescents, pathological internet use, quality of life, self-regulation

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Sebastian Ouseph ¹, Lucila Ortiz Bance ²

Affiliations
1 MA. Research Scholar, The Graduate School University of Santo Tomas, Manila, PH
2 Professor and Research Guide, Department of Clinical Psychology, The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila, PH

Abstract

Marriage is an institution that forms man and woman into family life. Being in a happy marriage is fundamental requisite for married couples. Marital satisfaction of the couples is a crucial element for marital quality and stability of the family. Marital satisfaction is related to various factors such as marital stress and communication quality. Stress is inevitable in the everyday life of couples and it influences their marital satisfaction. Ineffective communication quality of couples reduces an overall sense of understanding, and closeness, and eventually leads to marital dissatisfaction. The study examined the impact of marital stress and communication quality on marital satisfaction, which is the basis for a proposed Couple Relationships Enhancement Program. Participants of this study consisted of 108 couples (N=216) of two to 10 years of marriage purposely selected from Kerala, India. This study utilized a mixed research design. The Stockholm Marital Stress Scale (SMSS), the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS), and the Primary Communication Inventory (PCI) were used as measures of the study. The result of the study showed a strong negative correlation between marital stress and marital satisfaction (r= - .820, p < .01) whereas there is a strong positive correlation between marital communication quality and marital satisfaction (r= .927, p < .01), which were statistically significant. Marital stress and communication quality were significant predictor variables of marital satisfaction based on the regression model. The descriptive and correlational results of this study resolutely implicated the development of a couple's relationship enhancement program for enhancing marital satisfaction through effective communication skills and thereby reducing marital stress among young couples.

Keywords

communication quality, married couples, marital satisfaction, marital tress

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