Tina Chan, Masters of Science candidate in the School of Public Health and Health Systems, is presenting a paper at IUW entitled "Designing for Engagement in Peer to Peer Support Using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Gamification and the Proteus Effect".
Chan's research draws from crowdsourcing studies that combine online peer to peer (P2P) support with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), as well as the Proteus Effect.
In P2P support with CBT, researchers have found there is therapeutic value for mood disorders when strangers are asked to cognitively appraise each other's negative thoughts. Chan's work investigates how gamification can improve how users engage with this niche therapeutic practice.
She proposes that the Proteus Effect, a phenomenon where players perform stereotyped behaviours of their avatars, represents a promising theoretical background for developing a gamified version of P2P support using CBT:
[My objective is] to understand if the Proteus Effect can persuade increased helpful contributions in a gamified P2P CBT platform, if avatars with stereotypical supportive qualities are used.
- Tina Chan from her abstract
Chan's method involves designing and developing a computer game and then measuring how study participants interact with their avatars. This project is a part of Chan's ongoing research:
The developed game is currently undergoing pilot testing with lab members, and the study is to run with participants from November to December 2018.
- Tina Chan from her abstract