Gamification for the long-term unemployed youth : Digital concept ideas for increasing motivation in the Swedish Welfare System

Abstract: Young unemployed individuals have often been struggling from an early age with disabilities or unfortunate circumstances, which makes their journey to employability unique. It is crucial that the individuals stay motivated to change and overcome hardship on their road to self-sufficiency. This thesis aims to understand how to motivate young long-term unemployed individuals through the lens of Self-Determination Theory and propose digital gamification concepts that can increase the users’ employability. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with long-term unemployed individuals and occupational therapists. The analysis of the interviews pointed to several behavioral and motivational needs which gamification can fulfill by increasing the sense of autonomy, competence, and belonging for the individual. Three design concepts exemplifying this application were created and show that there are several motivational needs of the young long-term unemployed, that potentially can be met in a digital context.