Online Micro Intervention for mood improvement dataset

The aim of the current study is to improve the understanding of the effects of behavioral activation (BA) online micro intervention targeting enjoyment levels and mood. The hypotheses were to: 1. explore the association between confidence, motivation, activities, and mood; 2. analyze the effect of number and type of activities (Pleasant, Mastery, and Meaningful) on mood and enjoyment levels; 3. evaluate the immediate impact of the brief internet intervention on confidence and motivation to improve one’s mood; and 4. determine if levels of engagement with the intervention have an effect on participants’ outcomes.

Participants were recruited from the United States and aged 18 and older from Amazon Mechanical Turk. Eligible participants filled out a demographic questionnaire, mood questions, confidence questions, motivation questions, and activity level questions. All participants were then randomly assigned into one of two conditions: intervention condition or the waitlist control (WLC) condition.

The participants in the WLC were directed to a screen thanking them for their participation. Participants in the intervention condition proceeded to a webpage with psychoeducation on using behavioral activation to improve mood. These participants then completed an activity scheduling exercise wherein the participants selected the activities that they would like to engage in throughout the week. Participants in the intervention conditions were then asked follow-up questions regarding their current mood, confidence, and motivation.

A regression analysis showed that confidence and motivation were significantly associated with mood. Additionally, the total number of activities reported in the last two days was associated with participants' current mood and current enjoyment. When splitting up the types of activities, mastery and meaningful activities improved mood but not pleasant activities. Pleasant and meaningful activities impacted enjoyment but not mastery activities.
For individuals in the active condition, there was a significant increase in confidence but not motivation from pre to immediate post intervention. Those who scheduled at least one activity in the calendar showed a significant increase in motivation and confidence, but there was no significant increases for those that did not schedule activities. In addition, a mediation analysis found that confidence mediated the relationship between total activities and current mood. Additionally, motivation mediated the affect between total activities and current mood.