(PS12-82) Smartphone-based Applications Improve Emotion Regulation in Emerging Adults: Preliminary Data from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: Smartphone-based technology has revolutionized how we obtain information, including expanding access to applications that improve mental health by reinforcing evidence-based intervention (EBI) strategies. Cognitive and behavioral strategies used in EBIs, such as mindfulness practice, often enhance emotion regulation (ER), a transdiagnostic construct involving one’s awareness, perception, and response to emotions. Prior studies find that use of mindfulness apps predicts positive changes in ER, but these effects have not yet been examined in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing smartphone-based apps.

Aims: The current study uses preliminary data from an ongoing three-arm RCT to examine whether use of a mindfulness app significantly improves ER both overall and within its six main factors (i.e., nonacceptance, goal-disruption, impulsivity, strategies, clarity, and awareness) compared to use of other apps.

Methods: This study recruited a sample of undergraduates who completed baseline questionnaires before being randomized to one of three conditions: mindfulness, exercise tracking, or active journaling control. Participants were instructed to use their app for at least 100 minutes over two weeks before completing follow-up questionnaires. The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS; Gratz & Roemer, 2004) was used to assess ER. Data Analyses: To assess changes in overall ER and its subfactors, seven 2 (Time: pre- and post-intervention) X 3 (Group: mindfulness, exercise tracking, active journaling) mixed model ANOVAs were conducted.

Results: Ninety-five participants (Mage = 19.0; 50.5% white/European American; 75.8% heterosexual; 74.7% cisgender female) had complete baseline and follow-up data. We found significant main effects of time such that total DERS score (F = 14.33, p < .01, η² = .14), nonacceptance (F = 16.05, p < .01, η² = .15) and goal-disruption (F = 6.69, p < .05, η² = .07) significantly decreased pre- to post-intervention. Between-subjects’ effects were not significant in any model. A significant interaction for nonacceptance (F = 3.25, p < .05, η² = .07) was explored in post-hoc tests, finding stronger decreases in nonacceptance within the mindfulness (Mean difference = 3.13, SE = .78, p < .01) and active journaling conditions (Mean difference = 2.07, SE = .80, p = .01) compared to exercise tracking. The interactions between condition and time for total DERS and goal-disruption were not significant, but post-hoc tests found significant reductions within certain conditions. Total DERS decreased only within the mindfulness condition (Mean difference = 8.28, SE = 2.54, p < .01), and goal-disruption decreased within the mindfulness (Mean difference = 1.41, SE = .70, p = .04) and exercise tracking conditions (Mean difference = 1.36, SE = .68, p = .05) compared to active journaling.

Conclusion: These preliminary findings show that use of smartphone-based apps targeting cognitive and behavioral strategies often used in EBIs improve certain factors of ER, particularly nonacceptance. These findings illuminate important areas of research and may inform future virtual mental health interventions for emerging adults.