Event-informed systematic self-reflections and stress reactivity among emerging adults: insights from an ecological momentary assessment experiment

Self-reflection is central to adaptive stress regulation, yet little is known about when immersed versus distanced reflection optimises learning from stressful events. Drawing on Perceptual Control Theory, we propose that matching reflective stance to the emotional salience of stressors—adopting immersion for mild events and distancing for highly significant ones—optimises control-system reorganisation. This triple-blind, parallel-group randomised controlled trial will compare event-informed reflection against fixed self-immersed and self-distanced conditions using ecological momentary assessment. Two hundred and fifty emerging adults (aged 18–25) in the United Kingdom will complete three daily assessments over 14 days. Primary outcomes include stress reactivity (within-person stressor–negative affect slopes) and coping self-insight. We hypothesise that event-informed reflection will attenuate stress reactivity and enhance coping self-insight relative to fixed stances, with coping self-insight mediating effects on reactivity. Dynamic structural equation modelling with Bayesian estimation will test these predictions.