Computer Support to Well-Being Based on Emotions: A Systematic Mapping and Snowballing

This systematic review, complemented by backward snowballing, maps computational interventions designed to promote well-being through the modulation of users’ affective states. As a multidimensional construct central to quality of life and user experience, well-being has become an important concern in human-computer interaction. Across 61 studies, the review identifies a predominance of mobile, wearable, and immersive technologies targeting high-arousal negative emotions, particularly stress and anxiety, while low-arousal positive states remain underexplored. Drawing on Scherer’s circumplex model of affect, the review indicates limited adoption of theory-driven design and points to opportunities for closer alignment between emotional dimensions and technological strategies. The analysis also identifies methodological constraints, including small samples, reliance on self-report measures, and limited sensory integration, which weaken the robustness of current evidence. Overall, the review offers actionable insights for emotion-oriented interaction design and reinforces the need for more systematic, theory-based approaches to digital well-being.