Short answer

When designing for well-being, leverage immersive and interactive features to guide users towards self-reflection and understanding, paying close attention to how data is presented and how users interact with the system.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: Frontiers in Psychology (2018)
Method: Scoping Review
Evidence: Moderate effect

Interactive technologies, particularly those that are immersive, can effectively mediate personal experiences to support practices like mindfulness and self-reflection, thereby promoting positive change and well-being. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2018 study published in Frontiers in Psychology. Using Scoping review, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing for well-being, leverage immersive and interactive features to guide users towards self-reflection and understanding, paying close attention to how data is presented and how users interact with the system.

Study

User-Centred DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Immersive Tech Can Foster Well-being by Guiding Self-Reflection

Frontiers in Psychology · 2018

Key Findings

01Immersive interactive technologies can serve as mediators for positive change by focusing user attention on the self.
02Quantified personal data representation and guided self-understanding experiences are key mechanisms for eliciting positive changes.
03Various design elements and interaction strategies can be employed to support positive change and elicit positive states.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

Develop interactive prototypes that use immersive elements (e.g., VR, AR, or rich visualisations) to guide users through mindfulness exercises or journaling prompts, measuring their self-reported well-being before and after use.

Project actions

01Consider using interactive simulations or virtual environments in your design project to explore user engagement with self-reflection.
02Think about how different types of feedback (visual, auditory, haptic) can influence a user's emotional state during an interactive experience.

Method & Evidence

AimHow can immersive interactive technologies be effectively designed to support positive change and enhance user well-being through guided self-reflection?

MethodScoping Review

ProcedureA comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple academic databases (ACM Digital Library, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, Design and Applied Arts Index) for articles published from January 1, 2018, onwards. Relevant English-language articles were reviewed, and a risk of bias assessment was performed. 34 articles were included, detailing 38 instances of immersive, interactive experiences related to positive human functioning.

ContextDigital Health and Well-being Technologies

Variables

IV["Type of immersive interactive technology","Design elements and interaction strategies employed"]

DV["User's positive change","User's well-being","User's engagement with self-reflection"]

CV["User demographics","Pre-existing mental health conditions","Technological proficiency"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Comprehensive scoping review methodology.
+Inclusion of a risk of bias assessment.

Limitations

The scope of the review might miss specific niche technologies or older, foundational research. The effectiveness of such technologies can vary greatly depending on individual user differences.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the review is supported by the systematic search strategy and inclusion criteria. Validity is enhanced by the risk of bias assessment, though the subjective nature of 'positive change' and 'well-being' can introduce challenges.

Think critically

To what extent can technology truly replace or augment human-led therapeutic practices for mental well-being, and what are the ethical considerations involved in designing for such sensitive areas?

Design Principles

"Design immersive and interactive experiences that actively guide users towards self-reflection and personal insight to foster well-being."

In a world saturated with distractions, designing digital experiences that actively guide users towards introspection and self-understanding is crucial. This research highlights the potential of immersive and interactive elements to create engaging pathways for personal growth and mental well-being.

What This Means for Your Design

Apps and games that use cool visuals or virtual reality can help people feel better by guiding them to think about themselves and practice mindfulness.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the potential of interactive technologies to support user well-being and personal growth in your design project's background research section.

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Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research indicates that immersive interactive technologies can be designed to effectively mediate personal experiences, guiding users towards practices like mindfulness and self-reflection, thereby fostering positive change and enhancing well-being. The study highlights the potential of these technologies to focus user attention on the self through mechanisms such as quantified personal data representation and guided self-understanding experiences, suggesting that careful consideration of design elements and interaction strategies, including input and output modalities, is crucial for eliciting positive user states.

Source

Frontiers in Psychology

Immersive Interactive Technologies for Positive Change: A Scoping Review and Design Considerations

journal · 2018

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about immersive tech can foster well-being by guiding self-reflection?: When designing for well-being, leverage immersive and interactive features to guide users towards self-reflection and understanding, paying close attention to how data is presented and how users interact with the system. Evidence: Frontiers in Psychology (2018).
Why does "Immersive Tech Can Foster Well-being by Guiding Self-Reflection" matter for design?: In a world saturated with distractions, designing digital experiences that actively guide users towards introspection and self-understanding is crucial. This research highlights the potential of immersive and interactive elements to create engaging pathways for personal growth and mental well-being.
How can designers apply this research?: When designing for well-being, leverage immersive and interactive features to guide users towards self-reflection and understanding, paying close attention to how data is presented and how users interact with the system.
What were the main findings?: Immersive interactive technologies can serve as mediators for positive change by focusing user attention on the self.. Quantified personal data representation and guided self-understanding experiences are key mechanisms for eliciting positive changes.. Various design elements and interaction strategies can be employed to support positive change and elicit positive states.
What research method was used?: Scoping Review.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2018 journal from Frontiers in Psychology.
What should I do differently in my next project?: Develop interactive prototypes that use immersive elements (e.g., VR, AR, or rich visualisations) to guide users through mindfulness exercises or journaling prompts, measuring their self-reported well-being before and after use.
What are the limitations?: The review focused on literature published from January 1, 2018, potentially excluding earlier relevant work. The risk of bias assessment was conducted using a specific scale, which may have its own limitations.