Procedure
In this randomized trial with two parallel intervention arms, we compared two distinct app-delivered 10-week online interventions, a socio-emotional training with daily Affect Dyad practice and an attention-focused mindfulness-based mental training with daily guided meditation. In addition to the parallel trial design, the waitlist control group underwent socio-emotional training after posttest 1. Interventions and study measures were delivered through a non-commercial smartphone app that was developed as a research tool for the ReSource projectIn both mental training programs, daily app-delivered practice was conducted six days per week and complemented by weekly two hours of online coaching sessions conducted by trained meditation teachers on the seventh day. Assignment to one of the four teachers was depending on the participants’ availability, yet the teacher and time of coaching were counterbalanced between the intervention groups. Each teacher was assigned a group of approximately 14 to 24 participants over the 10 weeks. Each coaching session aimed to deepen the participants’ understanding of different aspects of their respective practice and to help integrate it in their life. The topics of coaching sessions in the socio-emotional training program revolved around social connectedness, empathic non-judgmental listening, interoceptive body awareness, acceptance of difficult emotions or stress, and the cultivation of care and gratitude. The topics of coaching sessions in the mindfulness-based training program included basics of breathing meditation, body awareness, sensory perception and awareness, and dealing with difficult emotions, in line with the aim of the training to foster present-moment attention, interoceptive body awareness, and an attitude of dignity and receptivity towards the self and the body. A detailed description of the teacher training and coaching protocol can be found in Supplement 3.