Snap to happiness: smartphone photos may ease depression in students
NCT ID NCT07313696
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether taking and savoring photos with a smartphone could improve well-being and reduce depressive symptoms in college and graduate students. 259 participants were randomly assigned to take photos of positive moments, share them with friends, take neutral photos, or take no photos for three weeks. The goal was to see if focusing on positive experiences through photography could boost mood and mindfulness.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- smartphone photography exercises (savoring and social sharing)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, low-cost way to help college students feel better and reduce depressive symptoms.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed study without a treatment phase, so results may not apply broadly. The exercises rely on self-report and may not work for everyone.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for COLLEGE STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Mind over motion: could meditation reshape your gait?
- Can meditation rewire brain networks? scientists scan for answers
- Can teaching kids kindness and mindfulness boost their grades and well-being?
- Mindfulness may ease emotional and physical toll of bullying in teens
- Can art and meditation heal shame in abused teens?
- Coloring your way to calm: new study tests mandalas for menopause stress