Title: Does practising diverse savouring techniques enhance subjective well-being? A randomised controlled trial of design-mediated savouring

Authors: Jeremy D. Faulk; JungKyoon Yoon

Addresses: Department of Human Centered Design, Cornell University, Meta Design and Technology Lab, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA ' Department of Human Centered Design, Cornell University, Meta Design and Technology Lab, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA

Abstract: When we anticipate enjoyable events or share positive experiences with others we can prolong and amplify our positive emotions. These and other savouring techniques can increase our subjective well-being. Yet, it remains unknown whether practising of diverse savouring techniques adds its own positive effect. In this 1 3 randomised controlled trial, 71 participants used a novel, interactive poster to facilitate high vs. low savouring diversity over eight days, or they journaled in the control condition. Unlike other positive psychology interventions (PPIs), the poster was designed to inspire users to self-select their own positive activities. Regression analyses showed that while cognitive well-being increased in the high savouring diversity condition, emotional well-being did not. These results suggested that assigning savouring diversity may have modestly contributed to users' cognitive well-being. Written responses further convey the poster's potential effectiveness in promoting positive experiences. Implications for design practice and directions for future research are discussed.

Keywords: positive design; experience design; positive psychology; design for emotion; subjective well-being; savouring; PER; positive emotion regulation; regulatory diversity.

DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2023.139198

Journal of Design Research, 2023 Vol.21 No.2, pp.99 - 127

Received: 01 Nov 2022
Accepted: 03 Jul 2023
Published online: 25 Jun 2024 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article