Clinical Research Directory

ACT-Based Psychoeducation for Youth With Social Media Addiction

While social media offers opportunities for connection and self-expression, it also brings significant challenges, particularly social media addiction, characterized by excessive and uncontrolled use. Although not officially recognized as a diagnostic category, its inclusion among behavioral addictions reflects its growing impact on mental health. Social media addiction may lead to psychological symptoms such as family and social conflicts, stress due to unmet responsibilities, anxiety, and irritability. This problem has become especially critical among young people. A 2025 meta-analysis found the prevalence of social media addiction among university students to be 18.4% and reported negative effects on academic achievement. Research also shows that social media addiction is associated with decreased self-esteem, emotion regulation difficulties, and dysfunctional interpersonal relationships. Social comparison tendencies and idealized digital identity presentations further harm young individuals' self-perceptions, contributing to low self-esteem and social anxiety. Interpersonal difficulties experienced in relationships are defined as "interpersonal problems," while the cognitive-behavioral processes used to resolve these difficulties are called "interpersonal problem solving." These skills are essential for effective conflict resolution, social adaptation, relationship quality, and overall well-being. Social media shapes both the emergence and resolution of interpersonal problems; however, current knowledge in this area is limited. Excessive use contributes to interpersonal conflicts, deterioration of relationships, and reduced face-to-face communication. Thus, social media addiction may impair interpersonal problem-solving skills by disrupting daily functioning. Although the literature includes correlational studies on social media addiction, self-esteem, and interpersonal functioning, research testing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based psychoeducation remains scarce. This study offers a theoretical contribution by applying a third-wave therapy approach to the psychosocial challenges of the digital age. It aims to evaluate the effects of an ACT-based psychoeducation program developed for young individuals with social media addiction on self-esteem and interpersonal problem-solving skills. Given the limited number of such programs in Türkiye, this study is original and aims to fill an important gap in the literature.

Problem-Solving Approach Training on Professional Readiness Perception

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of problem-solving approach training on the professional readiness perception of newly hired nurses. Nursing practices are dynamic and require strong problem-solving abilities. In this context, the study will explore how the support provided through education during the transition period for new graduate nurses influences their perception of professional competence. The hypothesis of the study is that problem-solving approach training will enhance the professional readiness perception of newly hired nurses. It is anticipated that the training will improve the nurses' professional knowledge and skills, equipping them to better handle the clinical challenges they will encounter. The study is planned to take place between February and June 2025 at Zoom platform. The population of the study consists of newly hired nurses, and a sample size calculation has been performed using power analysis. Effect size (Cohen's d): An effect size of 0.5 (moderate effect) has been assumed for this study. Alpha level (α): A Type I error rate of 0.05 is used. Power (1 - β): A power of 0.90 (90%) has been targeted. Using these parameters and the G\*Power software, the sample size is calculated to be approximately 64 participants per group. Therefore, the target is to recruit at least 128 participants for the study. Participants will be randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group will receive online and interactive problem-solving approach training. Participants in the experimental group will be supported with problem-solving-based training modules, focusing on decision-making skills related to nursing practice throughout the training process. The control group will not receive any training. After the training, both groups' professional readiness perceptions will be assessed using the previously determined Personal Information Form and Professional Readiness Scale. The data collected in the study will be analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) for Windows 22.0 software. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test will be used to determine whether the data follows a normal distribution. If p \> 0.05, the data will be considered to follow a normal distribution. If p \< 0.05, the data will be considered not normally distributed, and skewness and kurtosis values will be examined. For repeated measures, if the data is normally distributed, repeated measures ANOVA will be used; if the data is not normally distributed, Friedman's test will be applied. Descriptive statistics will first be used to summarize the general characteristics of the data, and the means and distributions of pre-test and post-test scores will be determined. To evaluate the effect of the training intervention, paired samples t-test will be applied to assess the differences between pre-test and post-test scores within the same group. This analysis will be used to measure the effect of the training program on time management and procrastination behaviors. Additionally, effect size (e.g., Cohen's d) will be calculated to evaluate the magnitude and significance of the training intervention's effect. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) will be used to determine whether there are significant differences between the groups, depending on the study's needs.