Mood-tracking application as persuasive technology for reduction of occupational stress

Abstract

Occupational stress is a major concern in the job performance of employees. The use of persuasive technologies is one way to prevent or reduce this stress. The present study developed a mood tracking application and tested its effect on stress reduction of employees. Twenty-six employees of a petrochemical company were divided into equally-sized groups of married and single participants. Employees' accommodations are different based on their marital status. Other variables effecting stress were same for both groups. An OSI-R questionnaire was used to collect data before and after four weeks of application use. In present pilot study, data analysis shows that this kind of persuasive technology can have a significant positive effect on single employees and help them to decrease and manage their stress; however, no meaningful results were recorded for the married group because they did not use the application as much as participants in the single group.