The Emotional Healing Mechanisms and Design Principles of Low-Interaction Products in the Digital-Intelligent Era

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: While the highly efficient interaction models of digital-intelligent technology bring convenience, they have also triggered widespread social alienation and psychological burnout, highlighting the necessity for critical examination and reshaping of digital spaces.

OBJECTIVES: This paper aims to employ Lefebvre's theory of the production of space as a framework to systematically analyze the emotional healing mechanisms of low-interaction products as a "restorative micro-space," clarifying the intrinsic pathways through which their "production" process influences user psychology and emotions.

METHODS: The study constructs a chained mediation model encompassing the three dimensions of spatial production (12 design elements), basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness), and emotional healing. Through the development of low-interaction product design practices and the establishment of a mainstream calendar application as a reference group, the theoretical model was empirically examined using structural equation modeling (SEM) and multi-group analysis.

RESULTS: Empirical results strongly support the theoretical model, indicating that the core advantage of low-interaction products lies in their "non-performative" and "nurturing" design. These elements effectively restore users' sense of autonomy and relatedness, thereby achieving significant emotional healing effects

CONCLUSION: This research provides empirically grounded theoretical guidance for design practices focused on digital mental health, validating the effectiveness and superiority of using the theory of spatial production to guide the construction of a "restorative micro-space."