Trub L, Ahokas R, Hubert ZM, Starks TJ. Enhancing constructive communication in the digital age through “textual healing,” a mindfulness app. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. 2024;42(1):243-272. doi:10.1177/02654075241293824
This study provided the preliminary examination of a novel mindfulness-based intervention designed to improve interpersonal communication during text-based exchanges. “Texting Healing” is a smartphone application that promotes mindfulness and improved digital text-based communication using Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. The application provides education on mindful approaches to utilizing technology, daily mindfulness practices, nightly assessments, a keyboard with emojis designed to represent emotions better, and an intervention to promote more effective text messages. Participants were young adult women identifying as Black or African American who had engaged in risky sexual behavior and at least one instance of substance use in the past 60 days (n = 71). Participants enrolled in the 21-day “Texting Healing” program or were waitlisted. Once participants had been guided to download “Texting Healing” on their smartphones via a Zoom call, they received financial rewards for using various aspects of the application daily. Three times a day participants utilized the novel text message intervention component of “Texting Healing”. After typing in the text, they wanted to send and answer brief questions to provide context to their relationship with the person they were guided through a mindfulness session, asked follow-up questions, and asked if they wanted to change the text. While only 14.9% of the messages were edited after engaging with the mindfulness program, the content of the edited messages was universally negative and was altered to be more effective. Despite the limitations and lack of use, this study provides initial promise for novel mindfulness interventions to facilitate more effective text-based communication.