Positive Psychology - Based EMl for Enhancing Well-Being
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Ecological Momentary Intervention, Active Control.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Healthy Participants Study. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Hong Kong
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Positive Psychology-Based Ecological Momentary Intervention for Well-Being in College Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Overview
This study aims to evaluate the acceptability and effectiveness of a positive psychology-based ecological momentary intervention (EMI) for enhancing well-being in college students. A three-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) will assess the impact of a dynamic EMI that delivers personalized exercises when participants' real-time affect or well-being scores fall below a predefined threshold, compared to control conditions. Primary outcomes include changes in well-being and mental health, evaluated through a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative measures and qualitative interviews.
Detailed description
This study aims to evaluate a Positive Psychology-based Ecological Momentary Intervention (EMI) designed to enhance well-being among college students. A three-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted to examine the intervention's effectiveness. The EMI integrates core positive psychology practices-such as gratitude, mindfulness, and acts of kindness-and is delivered through a mobile application in real time. The intervention features a dynamic, adaptive algorithm that provides personalized exercises when participants' real-time affect or well-being scores fall below a predefined threshold. Primary outcomes include changes in well-being and mental health . A mixed-methods design will be employed, combining quantitative assessments at baseline, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up with qualitative post-intervention interviews to gain an in-depth understanding of the intervention's impact and user experience.
Interventions
- Behavioral Ecological Momentary Intervention
This is a smartphone-based ecological momentary intervention (EMI) that delivers psychological exercises (e.g., gratitude, mindfulness) in an adaptive, "as-needed" manner. Twice daily, the app algorithm assesses a participant's self-reported momentary affect and well-being. If the scores fall below a preset, moderate threshold, a corresponding intervention exercise is automatically triggered. The goal is to provide personalized support at moments of greatest need. - Behavioral Active Control
This is a smartphone-based ecological momentary intervention (EMI) that delivers the same suite of psychological exercises on a fixed schedule, regardless of the user's current state. Participants are prompted to complete all six available exercises twice daily. This intervention controls for the general effects of exposure to the exercise content and engagement with the app, allowing for a comparison with the adaptive, algorithm-guided EMI.
Primary outcome measures
- Affect [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention); Immediately after the intervention (2 week after baseline)); 1-month follow-up (1 month after intervention)]
- Happiness [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention); Immediately after the intervention (2 weeks after baseline); 1-month follow-up (1 month after intervention)]
- Flourishing [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention); Immediately after the intervention (2 weeks after baseline); 1-month follow-up (1 month after intervention)]
- Satisfaction with Life [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention); Immediately after the intervention (2 weeks after baseline); 1-month follow-up (1 month after intervention)]
- Psychological distress [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention); Immediately after the intervention (2 weeks after baseline); 1-month follow-up (1 month after intervention]
Secondary outcome measures (5)
- State Subjective Happiness [Time frame: During the 14-day intervention period, this measurement is conducted twice per day as part of the momentary assessments, and once each evening as part of the Daily Diary assessment at 9:00 PM.]
- State affect [Time frame: During the 14-day intervention period, this measurement is conducted twice per day as part of the momentary assessments, and once each evening as part of the Daily Diary assessment at 9:00 PM.]
- State Well-Being [Time frame: During the 14-day intervention period, this measure is also administered each evening at 9:00 PM as part of the Daily Diary assessment.]
- State Anxiety and Depression [Time frame: During the 14-day intervention period, this measure is also administered each evening at 9:00 PM as part of the Daily Diary assessment.]
- State Stress [Time frame: During the 14-day intervention period, this measure is also administered each evening at 9:00 PM as part of the Daily Diary assessment.]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Participants in our study are healthy college students.
- Have smartphone, and have access to the internet.
Exclusion criteria
- Unable to use a smartphone.
- Have significant cognitive impairment that prevents participation in the research
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Double blind
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
Study locations
Hong Kong · 1 center
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University — Kowloon
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07406880 · HSEARS20231201008-03