Positive psychological intervention for anxiety, depression and coping in subjects addicted to online games

BACKGROUND: Addiction to online games is not uncommon. The patients usually refuse to take medications and present with affective symptoms such as anxiety, depression and negative coping styles. Psychological intervention based on positive psychology is a promising treatment for such patients. AIM: To evaluate the effect of positive psychological intervention on anxiety, depression and coping in people addicted to online games. METHODS: This self-controlled study included 89 people addicted to online games, who received treatment at Hangzhou Seventh People’s Hospital, Hangzhou, China in 2019. The Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Hamilton Depression Scale and Trait Coping Style Questionnaire were administered to evaluate the anxiety, depression and coping style among these people. Psychological intervention based on positive psychology was provided for 6 wk followed by another evaluation. The results were compared against those from the previous evaluation. RESULTS: After 6 wk of psychological intervention, 89 people achieved a significant improvement in the Hamilton Anxiety Scale and Hamilton Depression Scale-24 scales. The score for positive coping style in Trait Coping Style Questionnaire was significantly improved, while that of the negative coping style decreased significantly (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Psychological intervention based on positive psychology alleviated affective symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, in subjects addicted to online games. Psychological intervention corrected negative coping style, thereby improving mental health.