Developing a Theoretical Model of Digital Detox Impact on Adolescent Well-Being

Thesis Abstract

The pervasive integration of digital technologies into adolescents’ daily lives has raised concerns about the potential negative impacts of excessive screen usage on their psychological and social well-being. Despite the widespread recognition of digital detox as a strategy for promoting mental health, there remains limited theoretical understanding of how digital breaks influence adolescent well-being and the underlying mechanisms involved. This study aims to develop a comprehensive theoretical model elucidating the impact of digital detox on adolescent well-being, thereby filling a significant gap in the existing literature. The specific objectives are to identify the key psychological, social, and behavioral mediators through which digital detox influences well-being, and to examine the moderating roles of individual traits and contextual factors on these relationships. Employing a mixed-methods sequential explanatory research design, the study first gathers quantitative data from a stratified random sample of 600 adolescents aged 13 to 19 years from secondary schools across urban and rural regions. Data collection involves validated questionnaires measuring digital device usage, digital detox frequency and duration, psychological well-being (using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale), social connectedness, and behavioral self-regulation. Quantitative data will be analyzed through multiple regression analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the proposed pathways and mediating/moderating effects within the model. To complement the quantitative findings, qualitative data will be obtained via focus group discussions with 30 adolescents and thematic analysis, providing nuanced insights into personal experiences and contextual influences related to digital detox. The anticipated findings suggest that regular digital detox practices significantly predict improvements in adolescents’ psychological well-being, mediated by reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms, and enhanced social connectedness. It is expected that individual traits such as self-control and extraversion will moderate these relationships, with higher self-control strengthening the positive effects of digital detox. The integration of quantitative and qualitative results will contribute to the validation and refinement of the emerging model, offering a comprehensive understanding of how, why, and under what conditions digital detox benefits adolescent well-being. This research contributes novel theoretical insights by proposing a model rooted in Self-Determination Theory and the Social-Cognitive Theory, illustrating the pathways through which digital detox affects psychological and social outcomes in adolescents. It advances current discourse by empirically testing these mechanisms within a developmental context, offering a nuanced framework that can inform interventions and policy directives aimed at promoting healthier digital habits among youth. The study concludes that targeted digital detox interventions, tailored to individual traits and contextual factors, can serve as effective strategies to enhance adolescent mental health. Recommendations include integrating digital literacy and self-regulation training into school curricula, fostering digital environments that support balanced use, and developing family-based digital detox programs. Limitations such as cross-sectional data and self-report bias are acknowledged, and directions for future longitudinal and experimental research are proposed to establish causality. Overall, this study provides a theoretical foundation and empirical evidence supporting the psychological and social benefits of digital detox, contributing to a holistic understanding of adolescent digital behavior and well-being.