EMI for Reducing Psychological Distress in Young Adults With Multiple ACEs: A RCT Study

This study is a two-arm randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of an ecological momentary intervention (EMI) in reducing psychological distress among young adults with multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The intervention targets three potentially modifiable transdiagnostic psychological processes: emotional clarity, self-esteem, and catastrophizing. Approximately 100 young adults aged 18-29 years who have experienced at least two types of ACEs and report elevated psychological distress will be recruited. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the EMI intervention group or the waitlist control group. Those assigned to the intervention group will receive a 2-week smartphone-based EMI delivered in their daily lives. Intervention effectiveness will be evaluated by comparing changes in psychological distress and related psychological outcomes between the two groups.