Treatment Effects of Art Therapy on Adolescents with Problematic Internet Gaming Behavior

 

Introduction

Problematic Internet gaming behavior (PIGB), often classified under Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), is increasingly prevalent among adolescents. It can lead to impaired academic performance, disrupted sleep, emotional dysregulation, and reduced social engagement. Traditional treatments include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), family therapy, and psychoeducation, but art therapy has emerged as a complementary intervention targeting emotional and self-expression deficits.


Rationale for Using Art Therapy

  • Non-verbal Expression: Many adolescents with PIGB have difficulty articulating emotions verbally; art provides an alternative expressive channel.

  • Emotional Regulation: Creative activities can reduce anxiety, frustration, and irritability associated with gaming withdrawal.

  • Self-Reflection & Insight: The art-making process can help participants explore identity, self-esteem, and personal values beyond gaming.

  • Social Connection: Group art therapy fosters peer interaction and a sense of belonging, reducing reliance on virtual socialization.

Treatment Effects

1. Psychological & Emotional Outcomes

  • Reduced Gaming Cravings: By engaging in fulfilling non-digital creative activities, adolescents report decreased urge to game.

  • Improved Emotional Regulation: Art therapy promotes mindfulness and helps manage stress and impulsive responses.

  • Enhanced Self-Esteem: Completing and sharing artwork fosters a sense of achievement and personal worth.

2. Behavioral Changes

  • Decreased Screen Time: Structured creative sessions substitute gaming hours with productive offline engagement.

  • Better Daily Routines: Increased participation in physical and social activities outside the gaming context.

  • Improved Sleep Patterns: Reduced nighttime gaming leads to better circadian rhythm regulation.

3. Cognitive Benefits

  • Improved Attention Span: Art-making requires sustained focus, which can transfer to academic tasks.

  • Increased Problem-Solving Skills: Creative processes encourage flexible thinking and planning.

4. Social Functioning

  • Enhanced Interpersonal Skills: Collaborative art projects improve communication, empathy, and conflict resolution.

  • Reduced Social Isolation: Peer bonding in group therapy lessens dependence on online gaming communities.

Therapeutic Approaches in Art Therapy for PIGB

  • Drawing & Painting: Helps visualize emotions, gaming experiences, and personal goals.

  • Sculpting or Collage: Allows for metaphorical exploration of the “self” and life balance.

  • Digital-to-Analog Transition Projects: Encourages shifting creativity from screens to tangible materials.

  • Narrative Art: Combines storytelling with visual art to reframe personal experiences.

Evidence from Research

Studies (mainly in South Korea and China, where IGD prevalence is high) have shown that 8–12 weeks of structured art therapy, conducted 1–2 times per week, significantly reduced IGD symptoms in adolescents. Measured improvements included:

  • Lower scores on the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale (IGDS)

  • Reduced depression and anxiety (via Beck Depression Inventory & State-Trait Anxiety Inventory)

  • Improved interpersonal relationship scores

  • Positive feedback from parents and teachers on behavior and mood

Limitations & Considerations

  • Not a Standalone Cure: Works best when combined with psychoeducation, CBT, or family therapy.

  • Motivation-Dependent: Adolescents uninterested in art may show lower engagement.

  • Cultural Relevance: Art forms and symbols should align with the adolescent’s cultural context for deeper resonance.

  • Long-Term Follow-Up Needed: Sustained benefits depend on ongoing engagement in offline creative activities.

Emerging Insights on Art Therapy for IGD

1. Art Therapy vs. Exercise: A Head-to-Head Comparison

A focused 2025 study compared an 8-day intensive art therapy program with an exercise-based intervention among adolescents (ages 9–14) diagnosed with Internet Gaming Disorder. Both approaches yielded:

  • Significant reduction in IGD symptoms (ηp² = 0.493)

  • Strong improvements in withdrawal symptoms, anxiety/depression, aggressive behavior, and attention (all ηp² between 0.514 and 0.562)

  • Sustained positive effects at one-month follow-up, especially in reducing aggression and anxiety-related symptoms PubMedSpringerLink

Key takeaway: Art therapy is on par with physical exercise in its effectiveness, suggesting that creative engagement can be as powerful as physical activity for treating IGD.

2. Group Art Therapy Focused on Emotional Regulation

In over-immersed children, group art therapy helped reduce aggressiveness and improved the ability to manage emotions, reinforcing the value of combining structure with creative expression ResearchGate.

3. Contextualizing Art Therapy Within Broader Treatment

While specific to IGD, art therapy aligns with broader findings in expressive therapies. Meta-analyses in children and adolescents highlight that creative modalities (painting, sculpture, drama, dance) significantly reduce anxiety across diverse populations, with most studies conducted in Asia and sessions ranging from a few weeks www.elsevier.comWikipedia.

Complementary Interventions: Art Therapy in a Broader Landscape

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) remains the most common and supported treatment for gaming disorder. When combined with family therapy, outcomes improve further—addressing not just gaming but related issues like sleep, school performance, and family dynamics FrontiersPubMed+1.

  • Multimodal psychotherapeutic programs (e.g., motivational enhancement, relapse prevention) in India show promising reductions in IGD symptoms and enhancements in quality of life PubMed.

  • Equine-assisted activities (EAAT) target emotional and attachment issues, helping with affective regulation and brain connectivity in adolescents with IGD PubMed.

What This Means for You

Art therapy stands out for:

  • Its comparative effectiveness to physical activity in treating IGD.

  • Its ability to reduce aggression, anxiety, and withdrawal symptoms.

  • Ethical and developmentally appropriate means of self-expression and emotion regulation, especially in group settings.

But it's most effective when integrated into a holistic treatment approach, possibly alongside CBT, family involvement, or other creative and experiential therapies.

Conclusion

Art therapy offers a holistic, non-invasive, and engaging approach for adolescents struggling with problematic Internet gaming. By improving emotional regulation, social skills, and self-esteem, it supports healthier lifestyle patterns and reduces dependence on gaming. While not a complete substitute for clinical treatment, it is an effective adjunct therapy that addresses both emotional and behavioral aspects of the disorder.


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