BlackFULLness app screenshots

BlackFULLness

Challenge:

Though effective for reducing stress and promoting health in many populations, existing mobile apps for mindfulness interventions are not appealing to many African Americans. Current solutions have not been adapted to engage this population.

Solution:

Develop a mindfulness app tailored specifically to the cultural values of the African American community. BlackFULLness helps users shift from potentially harmful activities to adaptive mindfulness-based activities that align with culturally specific values.

Process:

BlackFULLness content is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) an evidence-based behavioral therapy. Utilizing a National Institutes of Health grant to guide the app’s design and testing, Behavioral scientists from Trifoia collaborated with a researcher at Spelman College in the design of the mobile app and its evaluation, testing it with users. Study participants reported significant improvements in stress and self-efficacy, increased use of mindfulness strategies, and increased emotional self-regulation.
To tailor the content to an African American audience, the BlackFULLness app uses African American facilitators, incorporates cultural values and culturally familiar terminology within the content, emphasizes holistic health, and highlights the benefits of mindfulness. Additional BlackFULLness features include:
  • Guided meditations connect the user to the present moment and a place of calm through culturally aligned exercises
  • Notifications prompting users to reflect and engage with the app
  • Periodic messages relaying the importance of mindfulness as a way to increase control over physical and psychological health
  • User-customized reminders to help users benefit from the app’s exercises throughout their day