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Behavior Change Support Systems for Self-Treating Procrastination: Systematic Search in App Stores and Analysis of
Jeanine Kirchner-Krath1, Manuel Schmidt-Kraepelin2, Katharina Schmähl1
1School of Business, Economics and Society, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nuremberg, Germany.
This study identified five motivational design archetypes in apps for self-treating procrastination, offering a framework for developing more effective digital interventions to combat procrastination behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Psychology
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Digital Health
Background:
- Procrastination is linked to anxiety, stress, and depression, necessitating effective interventions.
- Behavior Change Support Systems (BCSSs) offer accessible, self-treatment options.
- Research on motivational BCSS design for procrastination is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and systematize practical design efforts in motivational BCSSs for procrastination self-treatment.
- To identify emergent design archetypes in these digital tools.
Main Methods:
- Systematic screening of 127 procrastination-focused apps from app stores.
- Coding apps for behavior change techniques and hedonic/eudaimonic design elements.
- Cluster analysis to identify motivational design archetypes.
Main Results:
- Five main motivational design archetypes were identified: structured progress monitor, self-improvement guide, productivity adventure, emotional wellness coach, and social focus companion.
- These archetypes address different psychological factors of procrastination.
- The designs incorporate advanced hedonic and eudaimonic elements.
Conclusions:
- Findings provide a basis for future research on comparative effects of design archetypes.
- Offers practitioners blueprints for designing future BCSSs for procrastination.
- Systemizes the app landscape to aid individuals and professionals in selecting suitable tools.
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