Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Jan 15, 2023
Open Peer Review Period: Jan 15, 2023 - Mar 12, 2023
Date Accepted: Jun 7, 2023
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Investigating relationships between self-efficacy, mood, and anxiety using digital technologies: A randomized controlled trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
Digital tools such as Ecological Momentary Assessments (EMA) make it possible to assess transient mental health states and their parameters. Ecological Momentary Interventions (EMI) offer mental health interventions that fit well into individuals’ daily lives and routines.
Objective:
The aim of our study was twofold. First, to determine the relationship between mood and self-efficacy as assessed with EMA. Second, to explore how baseline depression and anxiety influence mood and self-efficacy.
Methods:
In this randomized controlled trial, in otherwise healthy students with elevated self-reported stress levels. We investigated digital self-efficacy training (EMI) combined with assessing mood and other parameters (EMA). Participants were randomized to either: a Training Group, where they completed self-efficacy training combined with EMA: or a Control Group, where they completed EMA only.
Results:
In total, 93 University Students participated in the trial. Dissatisfaction with social contacts was associated with both a decreased positive mood (b= −0.56, SE= 0.15, p< .001) and an increased negative mood (b= 0.45, SE= 0.12, p <.001). Higher self-efficacy at baseline was associated with reduced negative mood during study participation (d= −0.61, SE= 0.30, p= .04), while we could not determine an effect on positive mood. We found that positive mood during the day was associated with higher specific self-efficacy in the evening (b= .15, SE= 0.05, p= .005) and that higher baseline depression severity was significantly associated with lower specific self-efficacy over the week of the training (b= −.92, SE= 0.35, p= .004). Emotional flexibility was significantly enhanced in the training group.
Conclusions:
This study showed significant associations between mood and self-efficacy. In addition, engaging in a one-week self-training was associated with increased emotional flexibility. Future work is needed to replicate and investigate the training’s effects in other groups and settings. Clinical Trial: Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Arts (No. 20.4.24). Since this is not a clinical trial, pre-registration is not mandatory.
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Copyright
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