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NCT Number: NCT07406880

Positive Psychology - Based EMl for Enhancing Well-Being

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Participants Study

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Kowloon, Hong Kong

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

Ecological Momentary Intervention

Behavioral

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.

Active Control

Behavioral

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 outcomes

  1. Affect

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention); Immediately after the intervention (2 week after baseline)); 1-month follow-up (1 month after intervention)

    The 20-item Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Short Form (PANAS-SF) will be used to measure affective states. This scale comprises two subscales: Positive Affect (10 items) and Negative Affect (10 items). Each item is rated on a 5-point scale from 1 (very slightly or not at all) to 5 (extremely). Higher scores on each subscale indicate higher levels of the respective affect.

  2. Happiness

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention); Immediately after the intervention (2 weeks after baseline); 1-month follow-up (1 month after intervention)

    The 4-item Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) will be utilized to assess participants' subjective happiness. Each item will be rated on a 7-point Likert scale. Elevated scores on the scale indicate a greater level of subjective happiness.

  3. Flourishing

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention); Immediately after the intervention (2 weeks after baseline); 1-month follow-up (1 month after intervention)

    The 8-item Flourishing Scale (FS) will be used to measure psychological well-being and self-perceived success in important areas such as relationships, self-esteem, and purpose. Each item is rated on a 7-point scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree), with higher scores indicating a greater level of psychological well-being.

  4. Satisfaction with Life

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention); Immediately after the intervention (2 weeks after baseline); 1-month follow-up (1 month after intervention)

    Satisfaction with life is measured by the 5-item Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). All items are rated on a 7-point scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree), with higher scores indicating higher satisfaction with life.

  5. Psychological distress

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention); Immediately after the intervention (2 weeks after baseline); 1-month follow-up (1 month after intervention

    The 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) will be used to measure the negative emotional states of depression, anxiety, and stress. Each subscale contains 7 items, rated on a 4-point severity scale from 0 (did not apply to me at all) to 3 (applied to me very much, or most of the time). Higher scores indicate more severe levels of depression, anxiety, or stress.

Secondary outcomes

  1. 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 Subjective Happiness will be measured by the 2-item Subjective Happiness Scale with each item rated on a 7-point Likert scale from 1 (not a very happy person) to 7 (a very happy person).

  2. 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 affect will be tapped by the 9-item Ecological Mood Indicator. Participants indicate their momentary feelings on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 7 (extremely), for NA (e.g., depressed, worried/anxious, and unhappy) and PA (e.g., joyful, happy, and enjoyment/fun)

  3. 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 stress will be measured with one item adapted from the Psychological Stress Measure (PSM-9) using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (Not at all stressed) to 4 (Extremely stressed).

  4. 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 Anxiety and Depression will be measured with the four-item Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression and Anxiety (PHQ-4). Responses are scored as 0 ("not at all"), 1 ("several days"), 2 ("more than half the days"), or 3 ("nearly every day"), with the total score on this composite measure ranging from 0 to 12.

  5. 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.

    State stress will be measured by a single item asking participants to rate their current stress level on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (Not at all stressed) to 4 (Extremely stressed).

Other outcomes

  1. Socio-demographic variables

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention)

    The following socio-demographic variables such as sex, age, grade, and family income will be collected.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Bryant HUI

CONTACT

[email protected]

+852 2766 7744

Tao ZHANG

CONTACT

[email protected]

+852 9423 3827

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Positive Psychology-Based Ecological Momentary Intervention for Well-Being in College Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Feb 12, 2026
Registry last updated
Feb 12, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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