The effects of values-based digital microinterventions on mental health and valued living, and the role of photography and practice quality: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background Values are considered central to psychological well‐being and mental health, yet the effects of brief interventions targeting valued living remain underexamined. Mobile phone‐based delivery may offer a feasible way to implement values‐based microinterventions in daily life, while photography may help make values more concrete and accessible. This protocol describes a randomized controlled trial evaluating three values‐based microinterventions with and without photography on mental health and values‐related outcomes, while also exploring the role of values practice quality as a moderating variable. Methods A three‐arm, single‐blind randomized controlled trial with university students will be conducted. Participants will be randomized to one of three groups: (1) Reading What Matters, a standard written values‐based microintervention condition; (2) Capturing What Matters, a photography‐supported version of the same microinterventions; or (3) a control group completing only the assessment protocol. Distal outcomes will be assessed at baseline, post‐intervention, and two‐week follow‐up, and will include mental health outcomes, values‐related outcomes, and baseline mental imagery ability. Proximal outcomes will be assessed repeatedly through ecological momentary assessments during the intervention period and will include momentary mental health states, momentary valued living processes, and values practice quality. Discussion This study will provide initial evidence on the effects of values‐based microinterventions on mental health and valued living, the potential contribution of photography, and the role of practice quality in values‐focused work.