Momentary Coping Prompts for Emotional Regulation
(REACT-Bio Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This study looks at the moments when college students feel a strong emotional swing, and how those moments relate to reacting online when upset, drinking alcohol, and eating in response to emotions. Participants wear a wrist device and answer brief check-ins on their phone several times a day for about five weeks. During part of that time, a study app sometimes sends a short coping message at moments when the wrist device and check-ins suggest emotions are shifting quickly. Whether a message is sent at any given moment is decided at random, and the study compares what participants do in the short window afterward. An optional part of the study collects one small hair sample, which is tested for two hormones related to stress and to status-linked behavior, so the researchers can see whether longer-term hormone levels relate to how people respond in the moment. The study is a pilot designed to test whether the approach works and to estimate how large its effects are.
Who Is on the Research Team?
Yonghwan Chang, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Florida
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for college students who are willing to wear a wrist device and respond to short phone surveys several times daily over about five weeks. Participants should be comfortable with technology and able to provide a small hair sample if they choose.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Active control message
- Momentary coping prompt
Trial Overview
The study tests whether sending brief coping messages during emotional swings helps college students manage reactions like online outbursts, binge drinking, or emotional eating. Messages are sent randomly based on real-time emotion tracking from a wrist device and app check-ins.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Decision points at which the randomization outcome is to deliver a brief cognitive-behavioral or acceptance-based coping message. Message type is selected at random from those eligible in the participant's current context. Every participant contributes decision points to this condition.
Decision points at which the randomization outcome is not to deliver a coping message. A brief neutral, non-directive acknowledgment message may be delivered as an active control so that receiving any message can be separated from receiving a coping message. Every participant contributes decision points to this condition.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Florida
Lead Sponsor
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