The Effect of a Self-Management Intervention on Reducing TikTok Addiction Behavior among Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64420/ijcp.v3i1.508Keywords:
Self-management intervention, TikTok addiction behavior, Group counseling, StudentsAbstract
Background: The increasing use of social media platforms, particularly TikTok, among adolescents has raised concerns regarding excessive engagement and its impact on academic performance and daily functioning. Objective: This study aims to examine the effectiveness of self-management techniques implemented through group counseling in reducing TikTok addiction behaviour among students. Method: A mixed-method approach with a sequential explanatory design was employed. The study was conducted in 2025 at Oru West LGA, Imo State, involving 15 students selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires, interviews, observation, and documentation. Quantitative data were analysed using a paired sample t-test, while qualitative data were used to support the interpretation of behavioural changes. Result: The findings indicated a significant reduction in TikTok addiction levels, as evidenced by lower posttest scores compared to pretest results (p < 0.05). Qualitative findings also revealed increased self-awareness and improved self-regulation among participants. Conclusion: Self-management techniques delivered through group counseling are effective in reducing maladaptive digital behaviour. Contribution: This study contributes empirical evidence supporting the integration of self-management strategies into school counseling programs to address social media addiction among adolescents.
References
Adedeji, W. (2025). New media with new trends: Digitalisation and the use of social media in the Nigerian music industry. In Nigeria’s Cultural and Creative Industries (pp. 208-222). Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003619024-13/
Alazemi, A. F. T., Gheisari, A., & Patra, I. (2023). The consequences of task-supported language teaching via social media on academic engagement, emotion regulation, willingness to communicate, and academic well-being from the lens of positive psychology. Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education, 8(1), 47. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40862-023-00220-6
Arantxa, V. V., Patricia, D. C. M., & Tirocchi, S. (2023). Online prosumer convergence: Listening, creating and sharing music on YouTube and TikTok. Communication & Society, 36(1), 151-166. https://doi.org/10.15581/003.36.1.151-166
Bottaro, R., & Faraci, P. (2022). The use of social networking sites and its impact on adolescents’ emotional well-being: A scoping review. Current addiction reports, 9(4), 518-539. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-022-00445-4
Brown, M. C., Rajkumar, R., & Webster, K. (2025). Fashioning ethnic pride: Women of color and the outfit transition trend on TikTok. Social Media Society, 11(3), 20563051251382451. https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051251382451
Cao, X., Masood, A., Luqman, A., & Ali, A. (2018). Excessive use of mobile social networking sites and poor academic performance: antecedents and consequences from stressor-strain-outcome perspective. Computers in Human Behavior, 85, 163-174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.03.023
Cross, J. R., & Cross, T. L. (2015). Clinical and mental health issues in counseling the gifted individual. Journal of counseling & development, 93(2), 163-172. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2015.00192.x
Davey, S., & Davey, A. (2014). Assessment of smartphone addiction in Indian adolescents: A mixed method study by systematic-review and meta-analysis approach. International journal of preventive medicine, 5(12), 1500. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25709785/
Dermentzi, E., Papagiannidis, S., Toro, C. O., & Yannopoulou, N. (2016). Academic engagement: Differences between intention to adopt social networking sites and other online technologies. Computers in human behavior, 61, 321-332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.03.019
Ellis, J., Boger, E., Latter, S., Kennedy, A., Jones, F., Foster, C., & Demain, S. (2017). Conceptualisation of the ‘good’self-manager: A qualitative investigation of stakeholder views on the self-management of long-term health conditions. Social Science & Medicine, 176, 25-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.01.018
Eze, P. N. (2024). Behavioral Challenges And Student Performance: Analyzing Maladaptive Influences In Abuja Schools. Social Science and Educational Research Journal, 12(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17285027
Ezeaka, N. B., Nwodu, G. E., Adanma, V. O., Adikuru, C. C., Bartholomew, C. E., Onwuka, C. C., & Umennebuaku, V. A. (2025). The African awakening in the digital age: Exploring the role of communication in shaping cultural identity in Nigeria. African Journal of Religion, Philosophy and Culture, 6(2), 75. https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-aa_ajrpc_v6_n2_a5
Fortuna, K. L., Brooks, J. M., Umucu, E., Walker, R., & Chow, P. I. (2019). Peer support: a human factor to enhance engagement in digital health behavior change interventions. Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science, 4(2), 152-161. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41347-019-00105-x
Frey, L. L. (2013). Relational-cultural therapy: Theory, research, and application to counseling competencies. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 44(3), 177. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0033121
Giovanelli, A., Ozer, E. M., & Dahl, R. E. (2020). Leveraging technology to improve health in adolescence: A developmental science perspective. Journal of Adolescent Health, 67(2), S7-S13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.02.020
Guetterman, T. C., Fetters, M. D., & Creswell, J. W. (2015). Integrating quantitative and qualitative results in health science mixed methods research through joint displays. The Annals of Family Medicine, 13(6), 554-561. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.1865
Hamid, S., Waycott, J., Kurnia, S., & Chang, S. (2015). Understanding students' perceptions of the benefits of online social networking use for teaching and learning. The Internet and higher education, 26, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2015.02.004
Han, Y., & Xu, Z. (2024). Fostering college students’ mental well-being: The impact of social networking site utilization on emotion management and regulation. BMC psychology, 12(1), 681. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02186-7
Handayani, M. S., Wangid, M. N., & Julius, A. (2021). The impact of self-management techniques to improve university students’ social cognition. Islamic Guidance and Counseling Journal, 4(1), 116-123. https://doi.org/10.25217/igcj.v4i1.1247
Ifejika, L. I., Igba, C. E., Ifejika, P. I., Ozioko, P. C., & Umunna, M. O. (2021). Disruptive Tendency Of Social Media In Family Social Interaction Among Women In Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria. Russian Journal of Agricultural and Socio-Economic Sciences, 118(10), 180-186. https://doi.org/10.18551/rjoas.2021-10.20
Iregbu, S., Spiers, J., Duggleby, W., Salami, B., & Schick-Makaroff, K. (2023). Nigerian health care providers and diabetes self-management support: Their perspectives and practices. Qualitative health research, 33(1-2), 92-105. https://doi.org/10.1177/10497323221143889
Eze, P. N. (2024). Behavioral Challenges And Student Performance: Analyzing Maladaptive Influences In Abuja Schools. Social Science and Educational Research Journal, 12(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17285027
Iregbu, S., Spiers, J., Duggleby, W., Salami, B., & Schick-Makaroff, K. (2023). Nigerian health care providers and diabetes self-management support: Their perspectives and practices. Qualitative health research, 33(1-2), 92-105. https://doi.org/10.1177/10497323221143889
Jacob, U. S., Adigwe, G. O., Pillay, J., Osisanya, A., & Olatunbosun, S. O. (2024). Prompt Response, Cues-Pause-Point Therapies and Gender on Management of Echolalia among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Intellectual Disability-Diagnosis and Treatment, 12(3), 141-152. https://doi.org/10.6000/2292-2598.2024.12.03.4
Kahil, B., & Alobidyeen, B. (2021). Social media apps as a tool for procedural learning during COVID-19: Analysis of Tiktok users. Journal of Digitovation and information system, 1(2), 81-95. https://doi.org/10.54433/JDIIS.2021100007
Kalogiannidis, S., Chatzitheodoridis, F., Savvidou, S., Kagioglou, F., & Macedonia, W. (2022). The Impact of Online Communications on Different Users' Social, Emotional, and Moral Competence as a Potential Business Communication Tool. Journal of System and Management Sciences, 12(5), 359-373. https://doi.org/10.33168/JSMS.2022.0521
Kostera, M. (2015). Occupy management: Inspirations and ideas for self-organization and self-management. Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/9780415703062
Langer, E. J. (2018). Rethinking the role of thought in social interaction. In New directions in attribution research (pp. 35-58). Psychology Press. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780203780978-3/
Lent, R. W., & Brown, S. D. (2013). Social cognitive model of career self-management: Toward a unifying view of adaptive career behavior across the life span. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 60(4), 557–568. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0033446
Malak, M. Z., Shuhaiber, A. H., Al-amer, R. M., Abuadas, M. H., & Aburoomi, R. J. (2022). Correlation between psychological factors, academic performance and social media addiction: model-based testing. Behaviour & Information Technology, 41(8), 1583-1595. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2021.1891460
Mancone, S., Corrado, S., Tosti, B., Spica, G., & Diotaiuti, P. (2024). Integrating digital and interactive approaches in adolescent health literacy: a comprehensive review. Frontiers in Public Health, 12, 1387874. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1387874
Murray, S. (2021). Domestic Snapshots: Female Self-Imaging Practices Then and Now. In Visual Culture Approaches to the Selfie (pp. 139-165). Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780367206109-6/
Nash, B. L. (2024). Emotion, stimulation, habit, and criticality: Learning from teachers’ multifaceted conceptions of digital reading. Journal of research on Technology in educaTion, 56(1), 7-24. https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2023.2264979
Nguyen, T. D., Dadzie, C. A., Chaudhuri, H. R., & Tanner, T. (2019). Self-control and sustainability consumption: Findings from a cross cultural study. Journal of International Consumer Marketing, 31(5), 380-394. https://doi.org/10.1080/08961530.2019.1576152
Okocha, D. O., Amaka, O. C., Zainab, O. O., & Faloseyi, M. (2025). Social Media Detoxification: Towards A Healthy Youth Population In Nigeria. Namibian Journal of Linguistics, Literature & Communication Studies, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.59677/njllcs.v19i1.94
Oluwatoyosi, A. D. (2025). Social Media and Information Exchange among Nigerian Youths Considering Japa Syndrome. Journal of Information and Knowledge, 181-192. https://doi.org/10.17821/srels/2025/v62i3/171407
Sattoe, J. N., Bal, M. I., Roelofs, P. D., Bal, R., Miedema, H. S., & van Staa, A. (2015). Self-management interventions for young people with chronic conditions: A systematic overview. Patient education and counseling, 98(6), 704-715. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2015.03.004
Smith, T. E., Thompson, A. M., & Maynard, B. R. (2022). Self‐management interventions for reducing challenging behaviors among school‐age students: A systematic review. Campbell systematic reviews, 18(1), e1223. https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1223
Sudarsana, G. G. N., Sudarsana, G. N., Suarni, N. K., & Sari, U. (2019). Development of Self-Exhibition through Cognitive-Behavioral Counseling Models with Self-Management Strategies. In 5th International Conference on Education and Technology (ICET 2019) (pp. 58-61). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/icet-19.2019.14
Sümen, A., & Evgin, D. (2021). Social media addiction in high school students: a cross-sectional study examining its relationship with sleep quality and psychological problems. Child Indicators Research, 14(6), 2265-2283. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-021-09838-9
Taherdoost, H. (2022). What are different research approaches? Comprehensive Review of Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method research, their applications, types, and limitations. Journal of Management Science & Engineering Research, 5(1), 53-63. https://doi.org/10.30564/jmser.v5i1.4538
Tang, Y., Liu, Q., Liu, S., Yi, L., Zhang, R., Cheng, W., & Li, R. (2025). Self-management experiences and coping strategies of glaucoma patients: A meta-synthesis of qualitative research. Patient Education and Counseling, 109411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2025.109411
Teepapal, T. (2025). AI-driven personalization: Unraveling consumer perceptions in social media engagement. Computers in Human Behavior, 165, 108549. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2024.108549
Trotzer, J. P. (2013). The counselor and the group: Integrating theory, training, and practice. Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/9780415861175
Udulu, B. A. (2025). Prevalence and Determinants of Internet Addiction in Nigeria: A Review of Current Trends and Future Challenges. Port Harcourt Journal of Public Health, 1(2). https://www.phjph.com/index.php/pjph/article/view/5
Umeh, K. C., Ihejirika, W., & Ihechu, I. P. (2025). Popularity of Social Media Platforms and Youth Preference of Digital Tools for Human Capital Development in South-East Nigeria. International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research, 3(2), 289-303. https://www.ijssar.com/paper/
Van de Velde, D., De Zutter, F., Satink, T., Costa, U., Janquart, S., Senn, D., & De Vriendt, P. (2019). Delineating the concept of self-management in chronic conditions: a concept analysis. BMJ open, 9(7), e027775. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027775
Wang, S., Li, N., Liu, N., & Habes, M. (2024). Retracted Article: Transitioning from Information Sharing to Knowledge Services: Unpacking the Evolution of Rural Media Within the Context of Media Integration. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 15(3), 12751-12782.
Widyastuti, D. A., & Muyana, S. (2019). Group Counseling With Self-Management Techniques: Effective Strategies For Reducing Nomophobia Among Adolescents. Psikopedagogia Jurnal Bimbingan Dan Konseling, 8(2), 2528-2720. http://dx.doi.org/10.12928/psikopedagogia.v8i2.20509
Wong, F. M. F., Kan, C. W. Y., & Chow, S. K. Y. (2022). From resistance to acceptance in small group work: Students' narratives. Nurse Education Today, 111, 105317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2022.105317
Zhu, C., Xu, X., Zhang, W., Chen, J., & Evans, R. (2020). How health communication via Tik Tok makes a difference: A content analysis of Tik Tok accounts run by Chinese provincial health committees. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(1), 192. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17010192
Zhu, M., Bonk, C. J., & Doo, M. Y. (2020). Self-directed learning in MOOCs: Exploring the relationships among motivation, self-monitoring, and self-management. Educational Technology Research and Development, 68(5), 2073-2093. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1007/s11423-020-09747-8
Zimmermann, E., & Tomczyk, S. (2025). Using social media to promote life skills among adolescents: a debate on opportunities, challenges, and implications for health and education. Journal of Prevention, 46(2), 201-211. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-025-00826-1
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Kenechukwu Chinenye Osakwe, Benedicta Ndidi Agu
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms: (1) Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International. that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal; (2) Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal; (3) Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
