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Putting the ‘app’ in Happiness: A Randomised Controlled Trial of a Smartphone-Based Mindfulness Intervention to Enhance Wellbeing

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  • Annika Howells
  • Itai Ivtzan
  • Francisco Eiroa-Orosa

Abstract

Smartphones are revolutionizing approaches to wellbeing investment. Those seeking greater happiness can engage with thousands of downloadable self-help applications instantly, yet their effectiveness remains largely unknown. This investigation explored the viability of delivering a positive psychological intervention in application format to authentic happiness seekers. A smartphone-based randomized-controlled trial was conducted with a diverse self-selecting pool, randomly assigned to engage with an empirically supported mindfulness intervention (n = 57) or a control intervention (n = 64) for 10 days. The study explored smartphone methodology, the importance of empirically based content for wellbeing enhancement and the extent to which user experience related to wellbeing gains. Results of repeated measures ANOVAs showed statistically significant increases in positive affect with a medium effect size and reduced depressive symptoms with a small effect size, although no statistically significant differences in satisfaction with life, flourishing or negative affect were found. No statistically significant gains were observed in the control condition. Ratings of task enjoyment were positively correlated (Pearson’s r) with positive affect increase. Findings support the viability of smartphone-based interventions to significantly enhance elements of wellbeing, underscoring the importance of application content and the role of person-activity fit. This investigation presents implications for happiness seeking strategies in the real world whilst showcasing a dynamic method of intervention delivery that can benefit future research and practice. If the greatest mission of positive psychology is to enhance global flourishing, the potential of smartphone-based interventions may play a vital role. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2016

Suggested Citation

  • Annika Howells & Itai Ivtzan & Francisco Eiroa-Orosa, 2016. "Putting the ‘app’ in Happiness: A Randomised Controlled Trial of a Smartphone-Based Mindfulness Intervention to Enhance Wellbeing," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 163-185, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:17:y:2016:i:1:p:163-185
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-014-9589-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ad Bergsma, 2008. "Do self-help books help?," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 9(3), pages 341-360, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Matthew T. Fish & Amelia D. Saul, 2019. "The Gamification of Meditation: A Randomized-Controlled Study of a Prescribed Mobile Mindfulness Meditation Application in Reducing College Students’ Depression," Simulation & Gaming, , vol. 50(4), pages 419-435, August.
    2. Carol C. Choo & Jonathan H. L. Kuek & André A. D. Burton, 2018. "Smartphone Applications for Mindfulness Interventions with Suicidality in Asian Older Adults: A Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Rhonda Swickert & Erika Bailey & James Hittner & Andrew Spector & Brittaney Benson-Townsend & N. Clayton Silver, 2019. "The Mediational Roles of Gratitude and Perceived Support in Explaining the Relationship Between Mindfulness and Mood," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 815-828, March.
    4. Yuan Zheng & Jingyi Zhou & Xianglong Zeng & Mingyan Jiang & Tian P. S. Oei, 2022. "A New Second-Generation Mindfulness-Based Intervention Focusing on Well-Being: A Randomized Control Trial of Mindfulness-Based Positive Psychology," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(6), pages 2703-2724, August.
    5. Kirsten McEwan & Miles Richardson & David Sheffield & Fiona J. Ferguson & Paul Brindley, 2019. "A Smartphone App for Improving Mental Health through Connecting with Urban Nature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-15, September.
    6. Agnieszka Bojanowska & Łukasz D. Kaczmarek & Beata Urbanska & Malwina Puchalska, 2022. "Acting on Values: A Novel Intervention Enhancing Hedonic and Eudaimonic Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(8), pages 3889-3908, December.
    7. Yannick van Hierden & Sharyn Rundle-Thiele & Timo Dietrich, 2022. "Improving Well-Being in Young Adults: A Social Marketing Proof-of-Concept," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-16, April.
    8. Rochelle Thompson & Briana N. M. Hagen & Margaret N. Lumley & Charlotte B. Winder & Basem Gohar & Andria Jones-Bitton, 2022. "Mental Health and Substance Use of Farmers in Canada during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-24, October.
    9. Giulia Fuochi & Alberto Voci, 2021. "Dealing with the Ups and Downs of Life: Positive Dispositions in Coping with Negative and Positive Events and Their Relationships with Well-Being Indicators," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(6), pages 2435-2456, August.
    10. Henkens, Bieke & Verleye, Katrien & Larivière, Bart, 2021. "The smarter, the better?! Customer well-being, engagement, and perceptions in smart service systems," International Journal of Research in Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 38(2), pages 425-447.
    11. Yannick van Hierden & Timo Dietrich & Sharyn Rundle-Thiele, 2021. "Designing an eHealth Well-Being Program: A Participatory Design Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-16, July.
    12. Melina A. Throuvala & Mark D. Griffiths & Mike Rennoldson & Daria J. Kuss, 2020. "Mind over Matter: Testing the Efficacy of an Online Randomized Controlled Trial to Reduce Distraction from Smartphone Use," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-30, July.

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