{
  "abstract": "Ambulatory assessment (AA) captures within-person fluctuations in daily life, yet not all observed change exceeds measurement error, and not all reliable change is subjectively experienced. We propose a preregistered dual-threshold framework distinguishing statistical detectability (smallest detectable change, SDC) from experiential salience (minimal important change, MIC). Adults (N = 250) completed a 14-day AA protocol with twice-daily and event-contingent assessments (5,982 observations), rating momentary stress, positive affect, and negative affect (0–4) and perceived change since the previous assessment. SDC₉₅ estimates ranged from 1.56 to 1.92 scale points, so roughly three-quarters of consecutive changes fell below reliable detection. Anchor-based MICs, in contrast, were 1 point for all constructs. Correspondence between detectable and perceived change was asymmetric: sensitivity was high (.77–.87), but specificity (.46–.56) and positive predictive values (.24–.31) were low, as participants frequently reported change without reliable change; directional reversals were rare. Reliable change strongly predicted perceived change (ORs 4.6–12.5). Event-contingent assessments, higher prior states, and person-level characteristics (e.g., impulsivity, emotion regulation) increased the general propensity to report change but did not moderate this link. Felt change thus precedes measurable change: detectability and salience are distinct thresholds that intensive longitudinal research must evaluate separately.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 4,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Aleksandra Kaurin"
    },
    {
      "name": "Mario Wenzel"
    },
    {
      "name": "Paula Philippi"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jonas Dora"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5x441ppw4vthv.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.31234/osf.io/36zwq_v1",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "5x441ppw4vthv",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/36zwq_v1/",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "bepress",
      "Clinical Psychology"
    ],
    [
      "bepress",
      "Emotion"
    ],
    [
      "bepress",
      "Health Psychology"
    ],
    [
      "bepress",
      "Quantitative Methods"
    ],
    [
      "bepress",
      "Social and Behavioral Sciences"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "3205|Mental Health Research Topics"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7219711682",
  "pdf_url": "https://osf.io/36zwq/download",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-05",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5x441ppw4vthv.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:21:56Z",
      "native_id": "36zwq",
      "source": "osf",
      "url": "https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/36zwq_v1/"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "bepress:Clinical Psychology",
      "subfield": "psychiatry"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Felt but Not Detected: Salience Versus Detectability of Affective Change in Ambulatory Assessment",
  "title_text": "Felt but Not Detected: Salience Versus Detectability of Affective Change in Ambulatory Assessment",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:21:56Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/5x441ppw4vthv",
  "venue": "PsyArXiv",
  "versions": []
}