Conducting mobile-enabled ecological momentary intervention research in positive psychology: key considerations and recommended practices

Abstract

With the advancement of mobile technology, researchers are gaining immense interest in utilizing smartphones to deliver psychological interventions in people’s everyday lives to enhance health and well-being. In this paper, we aim to provide practical considerations and research practices for novice and experienced researchers who wish to conduct effective positive psychological research and interventions with these mobile-enabled ecological momentary interventions (mEMIs). Three characteristics and challenges of mEMIs (i.e., mobile, ecological, and momentary aspects) are described; and based on previous research and expertise, we present key considerations and recommended practices for each of these components that will help researchers towards successful design, implementation, and evaluation of mEMI research in positive psychology.