Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Promoting Mental Health of Emerging Adults With Internet Addiction

Internet addiction, a growing epidemic among young adults, significantly impairs mental health, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. The pervasive overuse of digital technologies-particularly smartphones, social media, and the internet-has led to rising rates of anxiety, depression, and social isolation in this demographic. Traditional therapeutic interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) fail to address the underlying psychological processes contributing to addiction. This research explores the potential of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-a mindfulness-based, values-driven approach-as an effective treatment for internet addiction in young adults. By enhancing psychological flexibility, ACT aims to reduce addictive behaviors while promoting better emotional regulation and mental resilience. The study will assess the efficacy of ACT in improving mental health and mitigating internet addiction within a culturally relevant context for Pakistani youth. Introduction and Problem Statement: Young adulthood is a pivotal developmental phase (18-29 years), during which individuals are particularly vulnerable to the negative impacts of internet addiction. Excessive use of smartphones, the internet, and social media has become a ubiquitous issue, severely affecting the academic, social, and emotional well-being of young adults. While internet addiction is increasingly prevalent in Pakistan, with studies indicating that 25-35% of the youth are affected, conventional therapeutic models like CBT predominantly focus on symptom management rather than the psychological underpinnings of addictive behaviors. This research aims to fill a critical gap by investigating the application of ACT, which has shown promise in treating various forms of addiction, to internet addiction specifically. Literature Review: The relationship between internet addiction and mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and stress has been well-documented. Recent s