Measuring the effect of short, animated storytelling videos to boost psychological capital in US adults: a randomized controlled trial.

Boosting psychological capital (PsyCap) has been linked to better mental health and reduced substance abuse. Amidst the current global mental health crisis, emerging trends in short video consumption and information-seeking pave potential pathways for disseminating innovative approaches to boosting PsyCap. Short, animated storytelling (SAS) videos have shown promise for scaling and engaging audiences with preventive public health messages. This study measured the effect of SAS video content on immediate and medium-term PsyCap and two related constructs, gratitude and happiness. In this 4-arm, parallel, randomized controlled trial, we collected data from 8612 US adults, enrolled online via Prolific Academic, from June-July 2024. Participants were randomly assigned to watch either a PsyCap-SAS video or an SAS attention placebo control video (APC-SAS), followed by PsyCap, gratitude and happiness surveys. The remaining arms were Do-nothing control arms, the first exposed to the surveys at Timepoint 1 (T1) and the second remaining un-exposed until Timepoint 2 (T2) 2 weeks later. The primary outcome was PsyCap (measured immediately at T1 and in the medium-term, at T2). Secondary outcomes were gratitude and happiness (immediate and medium-term) as well as voluntary engagement with the intervention video. The PsyCap-SAS video did not significantly increase PsyCap, but did significantly boost gratitude (immediately) and happiness (in both the immediate and medium-term). Surprisingly, the APC-SAS video-a short, animated story video promoting healthy eating-did significantly boost PsyCap, as well as happiness, and this effect was still visible 2 weeks later. No significant changes were observed in either of the Do-nothing control groups. Among participants with chronic diseases or disabilities, short, animated storytelling was particularly effect for boosting these positive psychological resources. This study extends the emerging knowledge base on the potential of short, animated storytelling for boosting protective positive psychological resources, including PsyCap, gratitude and happiness. In the midst of a global mental health crisis, SAS content designed to convey basic health promotion messages, may also be a promising and scalable way to bolster psychological resources in the public.This trial and its outcomes were registered with clinicaltrials.gov on Feb. 7, 2023 under the identifier NCT05718973. The stage 1 protocol for this Registered Report was accepted in principle on 18/09/23. The protocol, as accepted by the journal, can be found at: 10.6084/m9.figshare.24246511.