The research work package no. 3
University of Ostrava, Faculty of Education and Faculty of Social studies
Personalized Digital Interventions for Promoting Wellbeing and Healthy Lifestyle (OU)
leader prof. Steriani Elavsky (OU)
leads research activities WP3.1 and WP3.2. She has long been devoted to the issue of mHealth technologies and their utilization in promoting wellbeing and healthy aging. With extensive international experience from the USA, where she worked at the Pennsylvania State University (a globally renowned institution in the field of social science methodologies employing intensive longitudinal data and EMA methodology), she spearheaded the project's content conception. Currently, she is a highly cited scholar in the field of social sciences.
What do we do?
What do we study?
The activities of WP3 focus on developing personalised interventions that promote healthy lifestyles and wellbeing. We use behavioural and psychological methods as well as approaches from social work. Our goal is to create effective strategies that help people improve their physical, psychological, and social wellbeing, while reducing digital exclusion among vulnerable groups. We collaborate with experts from various disciplines to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Which intervention procedures are effective? What influences whether participants remain engaged? How can we tailor solutions “to measure” impact? We address these questions using technologies, intensive longitudinal measurement methods, and experimental designs.
We also develop computational algorithms that use intensively collected data to optimise behavioral interventions for each individual. In this way, each person receives the right intervention content at the right time, increasing effectiveness and user engagement. We focus particularly on vulnerable groups, such as people living with obesity and older adults.
In the area of social-work research, we also formulate recommendations for modifying the education of social workers so that they are able to reduce digital exclusion through their interventions and use digitalised interventions to enhance their clients’ wellbeing — especially that of vulnerable children and older adults.
How can this research benefit society?
The personalised interventions and procedures we develop can significantly improve individuals’ health and quality of life, potentially reducing healthcare costs and increasing productivity. For example, people living with obesity may achieve healthier lifestyles and maintain them long-term, reducing the risk of chronic illnesses such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
Another key contribution lies in reducing digital exclusion through innovations in the education of social workers. Better-equipped social workers can provide more targeted services to vulnerable groups, such as older adults or children from low-income families, thereby increasing the long-term effectiveness of social support.
Overall, our research contributes to creating a healthier and more inclusive society where everyone has access to the resources and support needed to enhance their wellbeing.