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.

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 18-29 years. * History of relatively high exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), defined as having experienced at least two types of ACEs. * Presence of psychological distress, defined as a score of 5 or higher on the 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). * Able to read and understand Chinese fluently. * Owns a smartphone with reliable internet access and is able to perform basic smartphone operations. * Willing to participate in the study and provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Current or previous diagnosis of a mental disorder by a psychiatrist. * High suicide risk as assessed using the self-report screening version of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS).