Paper Number
ECIS2026-1251
Paper Type
CRP
Abstract
Health Behaviour Change Support Systems (HBCSS) support behaviour change by adapting to users’ evolving needs. This study investigates how persuasive system design influences user engagement across distinct user journey stages, using User Journey Mapping and Persona Development informed by thematic analysis. We analysed 33 interviews from an 18-month RCT of a mobile HBCSS after six months of active use and a three-week refreshment period. Employing the PSD-UJM-Persona (PUP) Matrix framework and the Persuasive Systems Design model, we identified four journey stages and four persona types, each with unique engagement patterns. Findings show that targeted interventions—such as streamlined onboarding, personalised feedback, and social features—are essential for sustained engagement. Mapping personas to journey stages enables tailored, persuasive strategies that directly address how design can enhance retention and engagement in HBCSS. This provides practical and theoretical guidance for evaluating and designing adaptive, user-centred digital health interventions that improve long-term outcomes.
Recommended Citation
Pohjolainen, Sami and Oinas-Kukkonen, Harri, "Sustained Engagement In Health Behaviour Change Support Systems: A Study Of Persuasive Systems Design With User Journey Mapping" (2026). ECIS 2026 Proceedings. 2.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/ecis2026/hit/hit/2
Sustained Engagement In Health Behaviour Change Support Systems: A Study Of Persuasive Systems Design With User Journey Mapping
Health Behaviour Change Support Systems (HBCSS) support behaviour change by adapting to users’ evolving needs. This study investigates how persuasive system design influences user engagement across distinct user journey stages, using User Journey Mapping and Persona Development informed by thematic analysis. We analysed 33 interviews from an 18-month RCT of a mobile HBCSS after six months of active use and a three-week refreshment period. Employing the PSD-UJM-Persona (PUP) Matrix framework and the Persuasive Systems Design model, we identified four journey stages and four persona types, each with unique engagement patterns. Findings show that targeted interventions—such as streamlined onboarding, personalised feedback, and social features—are essential for sustained engagement. Mapping personas to journey stages enables tailored, persuasive strategies that directly address how design can enhance retention and engagement in HBCSS. This provides practical and theoretical guidance for evaluating and designing adaptive, user-centred digital health interventions that improve long-term outcomes.
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