The Increasing Mindfulness Engagement Project

Participants who are eligible to participate in the pilot micro-randomized trial (MRT) will be screened and onboarded via Zoom. They will be given baseline measures and trained on using the mindfulness app with integrated gaming app on their smartphone. Micro-randomizations will be used to address scientific questions related to the delivery and personalization of episodic future thinking and reciprocity engagement strategies in addition to gamification across the 28-day trial. The proposed pilot MRT will micro-randomize participants in the morning into one of three options: (i) episodic future thinking text-based prompts, (ii) reciprocity text-based prompts, or (iii) no prompts with equal probability. Participants will receive mobile-based ecological momentary assessments in the evening. EMA data will be paired with usage data from the mindfulness app (e.g., time spent in app, number of sessions, completion of mindfulness videos) to assess the conditions under which participants are receptive to engagement strategies. After 28 days, a follow-up survey questionnaire will be administered and an individual interview will be conducted with each participant. A 3-month follow-up survey will also be administered to participants who complete the study. Our primary outcome in engagement in the mindfulness app, and our secondary outcomes are stress and alcohol use.

Inclusion criteria

18-29 years old First-generation college student Undergraduate college student Living in the United States Meet criteria for binge drinking (5 drinks in about 2 hours) or heavy drinking (more than 14 drinks per week).