The Effect of Drawing Therapy on Gadget Addiction and Emotional Well-Being Among Children Aged 7–8 Years

Abstract

The increasing use of gadgets among children aged 7–8 years has become a growing concern due to its potential to cause gadget addiction and emotional problems. Children who experience gadget addiction tend to show irritability, difficulty controlling emotions, decreased social interaction, and greater dependence on digital entertainment compared to other activities. Excessive gadget use may also interfere with children’s emotional development and social behavior. Drawing therapy is considered one of the non-pharmacological interventions that can help children express emotions creatively while diverting their attention from excessive gadget use. This study aimed to determine the effect of drawing therapy on gadget addiction and emotional conditions among children aged 7–8 years at SDN 2 Bakalan Pule Lamongan. This study employed a quasi-experimental method with a one-group pretest-posttest design. The sample consisted of 44 respondents selected using purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected using the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) questionnaire and a children’s emotional questionnaire. Drawing therapy interventions were conducted for 30–45 minutes twice a week over four weeks. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. The findings showed a significant decrease in gadget addiction levels after the intervention, with 75% of respondents categorized as having mild gadget addiction, while 55% demonstrated good emotional conditions. The study concludes that drawing therapy has a significant effect on reducing gadget addiction and improving emotional well-being among children aged 7–8 years.