Abstract
BackgroundThere are thousands of digital companions designed for emotional well-being and stress, including websites, wearables, and smartphone apps. Although public evaluation frameworks and ratings exist, they do not facilitate digital companion choice based on contextual or individual information, such as occupation or personal management strategies.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to establish a process for creating a taxonomy to support systematic choice of digital companions for teachers’ stress self-management.MethodsWe used a 4-step study design. In step 1, we identified the dimension of stress self-management and strategic classifications. In step 2, we identified the dimension of the digital techniques and conceptual descriptions. In step 3, we created 6 criteria for the inclusion of digital companions. In step 4, we used the taxonomy framework created by steps 1 and 2 and populated it with digital companions for stress self-management, as identified in step 3.ResultsFirst, in the dimension of stress self-management, we identified four classes of strategies: educational, physiological, cognitive, and social. Second, in the digital techniques dimension, we derived four conceptual descriptions for the digital companions’ mechanisms of action: fostering reflection, suggesting treatment, peer-to-peer support, and entertainment. Third, we created six criteria for digital companion inclusion in the taxonomy: suitability, availability, evaluation, security, validity, and cost. Using the taxonomy framework and criteria, we populated it with digital companions for stress management ahead of presentation to teachers in a stress study workshop.ConclusionsThe elements of our approach can be generalized as principles for the creation of taxonomies for other occupations or conditions. Taxonomies such as this could be a valuable resource for individuals to understand which digital companion could be of help in their personal context.
Highlights
BackgroundSelf-care digital health smartphone apps, websites, and wearables, referred to collectively in this paper as digital companions, are ubiquitous, but understanding which of these will best support individual needs in a given context is complex
For the health techniques dimension, we reviewed the literature on persuasive design, digital health taxonomies, and trends in digital health self-care, again using the snowballing method as described above
A highly rated diarizing app had one of its review ratings plummet during our study, we found no cause for concern on rechecking the privacy policy
Summary
BackgroundSelf-care digital health smartphone apps, websites, and wearables, referred to collectively in this paper as digital companions, are ubiquitous, but understanding which of these will best support individual needs in a given context is complex. Routes to adoption of digital companions for psychological support include recommendations from health professionals [4], a US study found social media, personal searches, and word of mouth to be more common access routes [5]. Objective: The aim of this study is to establish a process for creating a taxonomy to support systematic choice of digital companions for teachers’ stress self-management. In step 4, we used the taxonomy framework created by steps 1 and 2 and populated it with digital companions for stress self-management, as identified in step 3. Conclusions: The elements of our approach can be generalized as principles for the creation of taxonomies for other occupations or conditions Taxonomies such as this could be a valuable resource for individuals to understand which digital companion could be of help in their personal context
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