The Mental Health Crisis
46% of Gen Z adults 18-23 reported worsened mental health after the pandemic, the highest of any generation (American Psychological Association, 2021).
In response to this crisis...
Many behavioral intervention technologies (BITS) have been created, but several factors make them ineffective:
- novelty wears off (Shin et al., 2019)
- a lack of personalized content (Balaskas et al., 2023)
- goals that are too high / unattainable result in diminished self-esteem and goal attainment (Hopfner and Keith, 2021)
- goals that aren’t challenging enough aren't motivating, reducing goal attainment (Locke & Latham, 2002)
- some tools restrict users’ autonomy (Lieder et al., 2022)
- inability to integrate into users’ daily lives (Knapp et al., 2021)
Our approach: goal setting for wellbeing
- Having and working toward goals is a profound source of happiness (Lyubomirsky, 2007).
- goals provide: purpose, meaning, vitality, direction, structure, and develop our sense of self (Sheldon & Elliot, 1999).
- Design Challenge: not everyone is aware of and good at articulating authentic goals
How can technology assist young adults in understanding and articulating personal goals?
Our approach to answering this question:
- Develop a self-administered behavioral intervention technology (BIT) to improve users' well-being by means of goal setting & self-reflection
