Exploring the relation between ICT use and stress. : Development of a concept to reduce smartphone use in bed at night.

Abstract: Digitalization has affected and changed society in many ways, and the use of ICT and smartphones has increased drastically over the last years. The two research questions that were addressed in this Master Thesis Project were: 1. Is there a connection between ICT use and stress? and 2. How can we help people to limit or reduce their smartphone use in bed at night? The project was divided into two parts, one research part (1) and one design development part (2), each with its own research question. Methods applied in the project included Design Research, Human-Centered Design and a Soma Design approach. An extensive background research and user studies, including deep interviews and a survey, both answered the first research question and led to the formulation of the second one. To answer the second research question four different concepts were developed, tested as trigger material and evaluated through a SWOT analysis. The concept that was chosen to be further developed, a massage pillow controlled by moving a smartphone around, was developed into a functional prototype. The purpose of the prototype was to give the user an experience as close to the real one as possible. Based on the prototype, a final concept of the massage pillow, called “Avkopplad”, was created. The answer to the first research question was that yes, there is a connection between ICT use and stress. The second research question was answered by the final concept, although further development and tests of it are necessary to confirm the answer.