Smartphone Time Machine: Tech-Supported Improvements in Time Perspective and Wellbeing Measures

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Digital Health
• Wellbeing Science

Background:

• Balanced time perspective correlates with optimal wellbeing.
• Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) negatively impact time perspective and wellbeing.
• Time-travel narratives can improve time perspective but were previously limited to counseling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and pilot a scalable digital tool, Time Machine, for improving time perspective and wellbeing.
• To investigate the efficacy of a web-based time-travel narrative intervention.
• To explore the impact of the intervention on individuals with varying levels of ACEs.

Main Methods:

• Iterative inclusive design process to create the Time Machine web application.
• Pilot study with 96 participants over 26 days, analyzing quantitative and qualitative data.
• Pre-planned and post-hoc analyses of user engagement, time perspective, and wellbeing scores.

Main Results:

• High participant engagement with the Time Machine tool.
• Significant improvements in self-reported time perspective and wellbeing, particularly during optional use.
• Greater wellbeing improvements (16%) observed in participants with high ACEs compared to those with low ACEs (8%).
• Unconditional love emerged as a potential mediator between time perspective and wellbeing.

Conclusions:

• The Time Machine application is a promising scalable tool for enhancing time perspective and wellbeing.
• The technology shows particular benefit for individuals with a history of adverse childhood experiences.
• Spiritually informed, scalable time-travel narrative technologies have potential applications in healthcare and wellness.