Investigating relationships between self-efficacy, mood, and anxiety using digital technologies: A randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

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. CLINICALTRIAL Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Arts (No. 20.4.24). Since this is not a clinical trial, pre-registration is not mandatory.