Activities as a Gateway to Sustained Subjective Well-Being Mediated by Products

Conference Paper (2019)
Author(s)

L. Wiese (TU Delft - Form and Experience)

AE Pohlmeyer (TU Delft - Form and Experience)

P.P.M. Hekkert (TU Delft - Form and Experience)

Research Group
Form and Experience
Copyright
© 2019 L. Wiese, A.E. Pohlmeyer, P.P.M. Hekkert
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1145/3322276.3322297
More Info
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Publication Year
2019
Language
English
Copyright
© 2019 L. Wiese, A.E. Pohlmeyer, P.P.M. Hekkert
Research Group
Form and Experience
Pages (from-to)
85-97
ISBN (electronic)
978-1-4503-5850-7
Reuse Rights

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Abstract

Research in positive psychology indicates that sustained well-being is more determined by our actions than by our possessions. Products' contribution to well-being may thus be grounded in their potential to support well-being-enhancing activities rather than in their material value. In a laddering study, we investigated how products shape a range of well-being determinants, including activities, and well-being outcomes. Following a hierarchical structure, seven product experience qualities, six motivations, and seven activities were empirically found to be linked to long-term well-being. We describe these ingredients for sustained well-being in further detail and provide actionable guidance on how to address them by means of design. As the majority of product-supported long-term well-being outcomes were mediated by activities, we propose activities as most promising starting point in design for sustained well-being.