Alcohol behaviour change : lessons learned from user reviews of iTunes apps

Omar Mubin, Abdullah Al Mahmud, Muhammad Ashad Kabir

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperConference Paperpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Mobile based persuasive technology can help us to shape positive behaviour and induce habit cessation. This paper reports on the preliminary content analysis of the comments made by users on a set of 18 iTunes apps that were designed to attempt to reduce the over consumption of alcohol and ultimately cut down drinking. In total 204 comments were retrieved from the set of 18 applications using data generated from a custom batch script. Our main results from the content analysis show that an efficient user interface is imperative to facilitate the user acceptance of persuasive mobile systems that attempt to inhibit consumption of alcohol. Furthermore, we noted more positive comments towards apps that adopted a self control behavioural change strategy, particularly as they followed a subtle and not abrupt interaction style. We conclude our analysis by providing a list of design recommendations for mobile apps that can assist in inhibiting alcohol consumption. Our analysis indicated that customisation and the possibility of maintaining incremental milestones were amongst the more sought after app features.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPersuasive Technology: 11th International Conference, PERSUASIVE 2016, Salzburg, Austria, April 5-7, 2016, Proceedings
PublisherSpringer
Pages99-109
Number of pages11
ISBN (Print)9783319315096
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016
EventInternational Conference on Persuasive Technology for Human Well-Being -
Duration: 5 Apr 2016 → …

Publication series

Name
ISSN (Print)0302-9743

Conference

ConferenceInternational Conference on Persuasive Technology for Human Well-Being
Period5/04/16 → …

Keywords

  • alcohol
  • drinking of alcoholic beverages
  • iTunes
  • mobile apps
  • mobile computing

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