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Using a Technology-Based Meaning and Purpose Intervention to Improve Well-being: A Randomised Controlled Study

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Abstract

Increasing the saliency of existing sources of meaning and purpose in life could be a practical

focus area for innovative wellbeing interventions. This randomised controlled study aimed to assess the impact of a brief seven-day technology-based intervention on meaning in life, life satisfaction, and affect compared to a waitlist control group. A mobile phone application was used to deliver daily activities and momentary reflection questions. Significant improvements where observed in the presence of meaning in life (p = .02, η2 = .05), life satisfaction (p = .00, η2 = .08) and positive affect (p = .02, η2 = 0.05) for the intervention versus the control group. Ecological momentary assessment data found increases in life satisfaction and meaning in life (b = 0.044, p = .041) and shed insight into activities that fostered fulfillment. These findings pave the way for future meaning and purpose interventions to build mental health and well-being.

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Funding

This study was made possible via funding from the City of Adelaide.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wellbeing and Resilience Centre, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, 5000 North Terrace, Adelaide, Australia

    Joep van Agteren, Jonathan Bartholomaeus, Emma Steains & Laura Lo

  2. Órama Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia

    Joep van Agteren

  3. School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia

    Jonathan Bartholomaeus

  4. School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Norman Gardens, Australia

    Adam Gerace

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  1. Joep van Agteren
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  2. Jonathan Bartholomaeus
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  3. Emma Steains
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  4. Laura Lo
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Contributions

JvA conceptualisation, methodology, coding, data collection, data analysis, write-up; JB conceptualisation, methodology, coding, data collection, data analysis, write-up; ES coding, write-up; LL coding, write-up; AG data analysis and write-up.

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Correspondence to Joep van Agteren.

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The program materials and study design was approved by the Flinders University Social and Behavioural Research Ethics Committee (SBREC) approval number: 8154.

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van Agteren, J., Bartholomaeus, J., Steains, E. et al. Using a Technology-Based Meaning and Purpose Intervention to Improve Well-being: A Randomised Controlled Study. J Happiness Stud 22, 3571–3591 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-021-00383-4

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