Experts in clinical mental health research count on personalized approaches based on self-monitoring and self-management to improve treatment efficacy in psychiatry. Among other things, researchers expect that Ecological Momentary Interventions (EMI) based on self-monitoring and personalized feedback will reduce depressive symptoms. Clinical trial findings have, however, been conflicting. A recent trial (ZELF-i) investigated whether depression treatment might be enhanced by an add-on EMI with self-monitoring items and feedback focused on positive affect and activities (Do-module) or on negative affect and thinking patterns (Think-module). There was no statistical evidence that this EMI impacted clinical or functional outcomes beyond the effects of regular care, regardless of module content. In apparent contrast, 86% of the participants who completed the intervention indicated they would recommend it to others. In the present study, we used in-depth interviews (n = 20) to better understand the EMI's personal and clinical benefits and downsides. A thematic analysis of the interviews generated six areas of impact with various subthemes. In line with the trial results, few participants reported behavioral changes or symptom improvement over time; the self-assessments mainly amplified momentary mood, in either direction. The most often mentioned benefits were an increase in self-awareness, insight, and self-management (e.g., a stronger sense of control over complaints). Consistently, these domains received the highest ratings in our evaluation questionnaire (n = 89). Furthermore, the EMI instilled a routine into the days of individuals without regular jobs or other activities. Participants reported few downsides. The experiences were rather similar between the two modules. This study suggests that EMI might contribute to health by helping individuals deal with their symptoms, rather than reducing them. Measures on self-awareness, insight, and self-management should be more emphatically involved in future EMI research.

临床心理健康研究专家依靠基于自我监测和自我管理的个性化方法来提高精神病学的治疗效果。除其他外，研究人员预计基于自我监测和个性化反馈的生态瞬时干预 (EMI) 将减少抑郁症状。然而，临床试验结果一直相互矛盾。最近的一项试验 (ZELF-i) 调查了是否可以通过附加 EMI 来增强抑郁症治疗，其中包含自我监控项目和反馈，重点是积极的情感和活动（做模块）或消极的情感和思维模式（思考模块）。没有统计证据表明，无论模块内容如何，​​这种 EMI 对临床或功能结果的影响都超出了常规护理的影响。明显的对比，完成干预的参与者中有 86% 表示他们会将其推荐给其他人。在本研究中，我们使用了深度访谈（n  = 20) 以更好地了解 EMI 的个人和临床益处和缺点。访谈的专题分析产生了六个具有不同子主题的影响领域。与试验结果一致，很少有参与者报告随着时间的推移行为改变或症状改善；自我评估主要是在两个方向上放大了瞬间的情绪。最常提到的好处是提高了自我意识、洞察力和自我管理（例如，对投诉的控制感更强）。一致地，这些域在我们的评估问卷中获得了最高的评分 ( n = 89）。此外，EMI 在没有固定工作或其他活动的人的日子里灌输了一种惯例。参与者报告了一些缺点。两个模块之间的体验相当相似。这项研究表明，EMI 可能通过帮助个人处理症状而不是减轻症状来促进健康。自我意识、洞察力和自我管理的措施应该更多地参与到未来的 EMI 研究中。