Social processes in well-being (SoWell): A survey and ecological momentary assessment twin study

Abstract

Aims : The Social Processes in Well-being (SoWell) study is an intensive longitudinal twin study designed to examine the relationships between mental health and social and environmental factors over time and to address the genetic contribution to these associations. Methods : Approximately 14,000 individuals from the Norwegian Twin Registry will be invited. Comprehensive assessment of individual characteristics, well-being, mental health, social factors, and environmental factors will be conducted using a baseline survey. Two longitudinal follow-up surveys will be conducted at 6 and 12 months. Participants will also be invited to take part in an ecological momentary assessment component collecting data on mental health and contextual factors in daily life. The ecological momentary assessment data collection comprises 4 measurements per day for 30 days (i.e., up to 120 observations per person). SoWell can be linked to previously collected data in the Norwegian Twin Registry and population registry data, facilitating longitudinal analyses of how social and environmental factors relate to mental health over time in daily life, across months, and over years. The genetically informative twin sample can help address unmeasured confounding and yield insights into genetic and environmental underpinnings of mental health and socio-environmental influences. Conclusions : SoWell aims to provide new knowledge about how social and environmental factors relate to mental health and well-being over time. The study integrates comprehensive measures of mental health problems and well-being. An integrated longitudinal survey and ecological momentary assessment approach in a genetically informative sample represents an innovative design with unprecedented opportunities for studying associations between mental health, well-being, and environmental and genetic factors. Trial registration: The SoWell study protocol and design have been registered at the Open Science Framework (prior to recruitment of participants): https://osf.io/m7utn/overview?view_only=aa3e113787884d0b8113ee8b53c5c9dc