Author ORCID Identifier

0000-0002-2242-3739

Defense Date

2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Kirk Warren Brown

Second Advisor

Jeffrey D. Green

Abstract

Emotional well-being is an important component of mental and physical health that includes both positive emotions and an absence of emotional symptoms (e.g., depressive- and anxiety-related). In this study, we examine psychological mechanisms that help to explain the effects of an digital mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) on emotional states. We conducted a randomized controlled trial wherein undergraduate student participants vulnerable to decreased positive and increased negative affect received a 2-week smartphone-based MBI or a structurally equivalent coping control intervention. Emotional experience, including depressive feelings, anxiety, and happiness, as well as subjective social well-being, including loneliness and felt connection to others, was assessed at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up through ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Social behavior was examined using EMA, as well as smartphone call log data, assessing call frequency, duration, and missed calls. Contrary to expectations, participants in the mindfulness training group did not exhibit immediate improvements in emotional experience compared to the control group. However, mindfulness training effects were observed during a follow-up period, indicating sustained benefits over time. Despite not finding direct training effects on subjective social well-being, associations between subjective social well-being and subsequent emotional experience remained consistent. Exploratory analyses of mindfulness training effects on calling behavior did not reveal significant differences between the mindfulness and control groups. These findings underscore the complexity of evaluating digital MBIs’ effects on emotional well-being and social functioning. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, particularly concerning social well-being and behavior.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

5-8-2024

Share

COinS