Activating Metacognition in Daily Life: A Randomized Controlled Ecological Momentary Intervention to Improve Digital Self-Regulation and Well-Being
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 招募中
- 入组人数
- 240
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Daily Metacognitive Awareness
研究概览
简要总结
The primary objective of this study is to examine whether an ecological momentary intervention (EMI), combining behavioral self-monitoring (screen time screenshot uploads) and structured reflection, can enhance metacognitive awareness and metacognitive regulation in the context of recreational screen time among young adults.
A secondary objective is to investigate whether improvements in metacognitive processes are associated with subsequent changes in behavioral and psychological outcomes, including recreational screen time (RST), stress, and life satisfaction.
Furthermore, this study aims to elucidate the underlying mechanisms through which the intervention exerts its effects by integrating a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design with intensive longitudinal (daily diary) data.
Specifically, the study addresses the following research questions:
RQ1 (Primary Intervention Effect on Metacognition): Does the EMI lead to higher levels of daily metacognitive awareness and metacognitive regulation (planning, monitoring, and evaluation) compared to the control group? RQ2 (Within-person Associations): At the within-person level, do day-to-day fluctuations in metacognitive awareness and regulation predict same-day and next-day changes in recreational screen time, stress, and life satisfaction? RQ3 (Mediating Mechanism): Do increases in metacognitive awareness and regulation mediate the effects of the EMI on recreational screen time, stress, and life satisfaction? RQ4 (Between-person Effects): At the between-person level, do individuals in the intervention group exhibit higher average levels of metacognitive awareness and regulation, as well as lower recreational screen time and stress and higher life satisfaction, compared to those in the control group?
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Prevention
- 盲法
- None
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 25 Years（Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •Participants must meet all of the following criteria:
- •Age between 18 and 25 years old.
- •Own and regularly use a smartphone.
- •Report an average daily recreational screen time of at least 3 hours on weekdays or 4 hours on weekends, based on self-report (Zablotsky et al., 2025).
- •Be able to access their device's built-in screen time tracking function (or equivalent system-level usage report) and upload screenshots when required.
- •Be willing and able to complete daily surveys throughout the full study period.
- •Indicate motivation to reduce or regulate their recreational screen use.
排除标准
- •Outside the age range of 18-25 years.
- •Do not own a smartphone or do not use it regularly.
- •Report average daily recreational screen time below 3 hours on weekdays and below 4 hours on weekends.
- •Are unable to access device-based screen time tracking functions or cannot provide valid screenshots when required.
- •Are unwilling or unable to complete daily surveys across the study period (e.g., anticipated non-compliance, scheduling constraints).
- •Do not express motivation to reduce or regulate their recreational screen use.
研究组 & 干预措施
Ecological Momentary Intervention Group
Participants in the intervention group will receive a composite ecological momentary intervention that integrates behavioral self-monitoring and metacognitive reflection.
Specifically, each day participants will:
- Upload a screenshot of their device-recorded screen time (e.g., iOS Screen Time or Android Digital Wellbeing), serving as a form of behavioral self-monitoring.
- Complete structured reflection prompts designed to activate metacognitive processes, including reflection on:
(1) total recreational screen time, (2) usage contexts (e.g., situations or triggers), (3) awareness of potential overuse, and (4) use of regulation strategies (e.g., planning, monitoring, evaluation). In addition, participants will complete daily measures of metacognitive awareness, metacognitive regulation, stress, and life satisfaction.
干预措施: Ecological momentary intervention (Behavioral)
Control Group
Participants in the control group will complete the same daily diary measures of metacognitive awareness, metacognitive regulation, stress, and life satisfaction, but will not engage in screen time self-monitoring (i.e., no screenshot uploads) and will not receive any structured reflection prompts.
结局指标
主要结局
Daily Metacognitive Awareness
时间窗: 14-day dairy
Daily Metacognitive Awareness assesses the extent to which participants were consciously aware of their motivations and tendencies regarding recreational screen use on that day, which adapted from metacognitive awareness dimension in Metacognition about Regulating Recreational Screen Time Scale (McRST). Sample items include: "Today, I was aware of why I wanted to use my device for recreational purposes." Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Higher scores indicate greater daily metacognitive awareness.
Daily Recreational Screen Time
时间窗: 14-day dairy
Daily Recreational Screen Time is assessed using both subjective self-reports and objective device-recorded data in order to enhance measurement validity and reduce recall bias. Recreational screen time is defined as non-work and non-study device use, including activities such as social media browsing, video streaming, gaming, and other entertainment-related engagement.
Metacognitive skills
时间窗: baseline, day 15 (t1)
Metacognitive skills will be assessed using the Metacognition about Regulating Recreational Screen Time Scale (Mc-RST). The scale captures individuals' knowledge, beliefs, and perceived efficacy regarding their ability to regulate recreational screen use. Participants rated on a 5-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating stronger metacognitive awareness and perceived regulatory capacity.
次要结局
- Perceived stress(baseline; day 15(t1))
- Daily Stress(14-day dairy)
- Daily Life Satisfaction(14-day dairy)
- Internet addiction(baseline, day 15 (t1))
- Short-form video addiction(baseline; day 15(t1))
- Depressive symptoms(baseline; day 15(t1))
- Anxiety symptoms(baseline; day 15(t1))
- Self-control(baseline; day 15(t1))
- Life satisfaction(baseline; day 15(t1))
- Fear of missing out (FoMO)(baseline; day 15(t1))