Positive technology for emotion regulation: a virtual self-help intervention

Emotions and stress experienced in the academic environment are known to be related to important outcomes such as health and well-being together with other comorbidities such as decreased academic performance, increased college dropouts, and increase of problematic online and offline behaviors. Today, the situation appears even more critical in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on positive technology framework, this study aims to promote well-being in university students who are facing the challenging period of graduation by increasing their ability to emotionally regulate. Emotion regulation is defined as the initiation, maintenance, and modification of the occurrence, intensity, and duration of feeling states. Forty-two university students voluntarily participated in a self-administered modular intervention of 6 sessions spread over three weeks that involves virtual scenarios (used in 2D). Students were randomly allocated to an experimental group and to a waiting list group that started the intervention after 3 weeks. The virtual scenarios consisted of narrative metaphors aimed at encouraging students to be aware of their emotions, and positive resources to cope with difficult situations and develop strategies to regulate their affective states. Before and after the six sessions, participants completed an assessment by filling in online questionnaires. The results showed a significant increase both in emotional well-being and psychological well-being in the experimental group compared to the waiting list group.