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De inhoudelijke kwaliteit en gebruiksvriendelijkheid van zelcompassieapps : een systematische review

Vopicka, Anne Marie (2016) De inhoudelijke kwaliteit en gebruiksvriendelijkheid van zelcompassieapps : een systematische review.

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Abstract:This is a systematic review of existing self-compassion apps in which the theoretical quality and the user friendliness of these apps are researched. In our current society stress seems to be a mayor issue. Stress exists when outside or mental pressure cannot be balanced with our coping capabilities (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). Recent studies regarding stress have shown that constant amount of daily stress can be harmful and can lead to several stress related illnesses (Cohen, Janicki-Deverts en Miller, 2007). Therefore coping capabilities are important. One of the methods of coping with stress is emotional regulation. Emotional regulates guides the physical responses of stress on the body. This can be achieved through self-compassion. Self-compassion is the skill to be kind to yourself, seeing yourself as part of humanity, and to be mindful and without judgement. Self-compassion seems to influence our way of handling stress and has a positive effect on our health. De possibilities of current technologies, like the use of smartphone apps, offer new ways to learn skills in daily life. Therefore apps are well suited to teach self-compassion to the user. This study encompasses 14 existing self-compassion apps and assesses their theoretical quality and user-friendliness. Information gained from the apps store, text information from the apps itself and implemented strategies were reviewed for their theoretical quality. De user friendliness has been evaluated by studying the user reviews and a professional evaluation using the system usability scale (Brooke, 1996). The study shows that the theoretical quality of the text-based information can be improved. The strategies that make use of all aspects of self-compassion have shown a theoretical quality in excess of the other apps. The user-friendliness study shows a significant dissonance between the user reviews and the professional evaluation. This research offers tools on how to use strategies that improve self-compassion. The effect of self-compassion apps on stress needs to be researched further. Recommendations can also be given for the implementation of self-compassion apps in a clinical setting. It is recommended to involve the user base in the research and the design process to improve the user friendliness and to fully understand the gap between user reviews and the professional evaluation.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology MSc (66604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/70540
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