Abstract

Self-awareness and emotional regulation are critical components of mental health and psychological well-being, particularly for psychology students who are training to understand and manage emotions effectively. This study evaluated the effectiveness of “My Companion,” a researcher-developed mood-tracker mobile application, in enhancing self-awareness (identification, expression, and recognition of emotional triggers) and emotional regulation (coping strategies, control over responses, and reflection/adaptation) among 3rd-year BS Psychology students at Bestlink College of the Philippines. A quasi-experimental design was employed. Using proportionate stratified random sampling, 221 participants were selected and completed pre-test and post-test questionnaires assessing self-awareness and emotional regulation. Participants used the “My Companion” application for one week between the pre- and post-tests. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Pre-test results indicated High levels of both self-awareness and emotional regulation. Post-intervention, participants exhibited significant improvements, with composite means shifting from “High” to “Exceptional.” Statistical analysis confirmed the significance of these improvements (self-awareness: Z = 12.37, p < 0.001; emotional regulation: Z = 12.46, p < 0.001). The results confirm that the “My Companion” mood-tracker application is effective in enhancing self-awareness and emotional regulation among psychology students. The findings support the integration of such digital tools into student wellness programs, with recommendations for further refinement of the application to address additional user concerns and enhance its impact on mental health.