Alexandra Hoffmann

• The gamification of mHealth applications is a critically discussed topic. On one hand, studies show that gamification can have positive impact on an app’s usability and user experience. Furthermore, evidence grows that gamification can positively influence the regular usage of health apps. On the other hand it is questioned whether gamification is useful for health apps in all contexts, especially regarding stress management. However, to this point few studies investigated the gamification of stress management apps. This thesis describes the iterative development of the gamified stress management app “Stress-Mentor” and examines whether the implemented gamification concept results in changes in the app’s usage behavior, as well as in usability and user experience ratings. The results outline how the users’ involvement in “Stress-Mentor’s” development through different studies influenced the app’s design and helped to identify necessary improvements. The thesis also shows that users who received a gamified app version used the app more frequently than users of a non-gamified control group. While gamification of stress management is critically discussed, it was positively received by the users of “Stress-Mentor” throughout the app’s development. The results also showed that gamification can have positive effects on the usage behavior of a stress management app and therefore, results in an increased exposure to the app’s content. Moreover, an expert study outlined the applicability of “Stress-Mentor’s” concept for other health contexts.