Effect of TPB-Based Educational Intervention on Preventing Internet Addiction in Students

The Effect of an Educational Intervention Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior on Behavioral Intention to Prevent Internet Addiction Among Higher Secondary School Students in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal

This quasi-experimental study evaluated a Theory of Planned Behavior-based educational intervention among higher secondary students in Kathmandu, Nepal. The two-day intervention significantly reduced daily internet use and improved attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intentions related to preventing internet addiction. No significant changes were observed in the control group, demonstrating that theory-driven, school-based educational programs can effectively promote healthier internet use behaviors among adolescents.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Internet Addiction Prevention Among Higher Secondary School Students
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Educational Intervention Package based on the Theory of Planned Behavior

Detailed Description

Internet addiction among adolescents is an emerging public health concern, associated with academic, emotional, and social difficulties, particularly in urban settings with high digital access. As internet use behavior is influenced by attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, this study applied the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework. The primary aim was to measure the effectiveness of educational intervention on behavioral intention based on the TPB framework towards the prevention of internet addiction among higher secondary level school students of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal.

A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 132 higher secondary students in Kathmandu. Participants were equally assigned to intervention and control groups using multistage random sampling. Baseline internet-use behavior and TPB constructs were assessed using validated se4lf- The intervention group received a two-day TPB-based educational program to improve attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intentions toward preventing internet addiction, while the control group received no intervention. Post-intervention evaluation was conducted six weeks later, and changes in TPB construct scores were analyzed using paired t-tests.

At baseline, most TPB construct scores were similar between the intervention and control groups, although the intervention group reported higher daily internet use (5.71 ± 2.71 vs. 4.47 ± 1.05 hours) and subjective norms (14.15 ± 3.97 vs. 12.15 ± 4.39). Following the TPB-based educational intervention, the intervention group showed a significant reduction in daily internet use (3.14 ± 1.56) and improvements in attitudes 17.18 ± 2.14), subjective norms (16.20 ± 2.44), perceived behavioral control (18.33 ± 2.56), and behavioral intentions toward preventing internet addiction (20.64 ± 2.40). The control group showed no significant changes, indicating the effectiveness of the intervention in promoting healthier internet behaviors. The TPB-based educational intervention significantly reduced daily internet use and improved attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intentions toward preventing internet addiction among higher secondary students. These findings highlight the effectiveness of theory-driven, school-based programs in promoting healthier internet behaviors in adolescents.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 122
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Nepal
  • Kathmandu, Nepal, 44600
    • Manish Rajbanshi

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Students belonged to selected wards of Kathmandu Metropolitan City

Exclusion Criteria:

• Students having mental disorders, unable to communicate

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Interventional Group- Educational Intervention; Altogether 66 students were recruited in this group. This group received the educational intervention package over two days. The intervention consisted of three structured modules delivered to students, teachers, and parents using interactive and multimedia-based approaches: Module 1: Introduction to internet addiction and why adolescents are vulnerable (lectures, case stories, posters) Module 2: Types and signs/symptoms of internet addiction (PowerPoint presentations, Q&A sessions, posters) Module 3: Preventive strategies and available help-seeking sources (interactive sessions, Q&A, posters)	Other: Educational Intervention Package based on the Theory of Planned Behavior; The intervention package consisted of three structured modules delivered to students, teachers, and parents using interactive and multimedia-based approaches: Module 1: Introduction to internet addiction and adolescent vulnerability (lectures, case stories, posters). Module 2: Types and signs/symptoms of internet addiction (PowerPoint presentations, Q&A sessions, posters). Module 3: Preventive strategies and available help-seeking sources (interactive sessions, Q&A, posters). No drugs or devices were used in this intervention.
No Intervention: Control Group - Standard School Curriculum; Participants continued their usual school activities without receiving any additional educational intervention. No educational materials, drugs, or devices were involved.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Behavioral Intention Score	A structured questionnaire based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention package in preventing internet addiction. The questionnaire comprises Likert-scale items assessing behavioral intention, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Each item will be scored from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree), with higher scores indicating stronger behavioral intention toward preventing internet addiction (better outcome). The questionnaire will be adapted from existing validated TPB tools and further refined based on findings from the situational analysis and pre-testing. The instrument will be administered at baseline (pre-intervention) and 6 weeks post-intervention to assess changes in outcome measures.	Baseline (pre-intervention) and 6 weeks post-intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
TPB Constructs Score	A structured TPB-based questionnaire will be used to assess changes in all four TPB constructs: behavioral intention, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Each item will be scored on a Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree), with higher scores indicating more positive attitudes, stronger subjective norms, greater perceived behavioral control, and stronger behavioral intention toward preventing internet addiction. The questionnaire will be administered at baseline (pre-intervention) and at 6 weeks post-intervention to assess changes in these constructs.	Baseline (pre-intervention) and 6 weeks post-intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Manish Rajbanshi
• Investigators: Study Chair: Durga Prasad Pahari, PHD, Central Department of Public Health

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 1, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): March 25, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): August 10, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 1, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 25, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): April 1, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 1, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 25, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: 220 (6-11) E2081/82

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No