Mörkt Läge och Dess Inflytande på Psykologisk och Fysisk Avkoppling under Stress : Utvärdering av Användarupplevelse i Ljussvaga Miljöer efter Långvarig Skärmanvändning

As society has entered into a digital era, both work and leisure activities are continuously adopting different methods of technology to increase accessibility and availbility at our fingertips. The causes and effects of how users manage and process data are being identified throughout this study to help confirm our findings. Research on the effects of this global change is relevant on both a societal and individual level. This study explores these effects by examining the psychological and physical influence of dark mode on relaxation. The aim is to investigate a possible relationship between lighting mode and relaxation by assessing user experiences in low-lit environments after prolonged screen use. Additionally, the study examines the connection between preferred lighting mode and performance by analysing results from stress-inducing tasks, comparing outcomes between dark and light modes usage. By researching this unexplored relationship between stress and lighting mode, as well as performance and lighting mode, it bridges a research gap and creates a foundation for further research. This research gap is addressed by using qualitative methods rather than quantitative methods that have been used by previous research. The stress-inducing tasks consist of two different tests designed to induce stress while assessing visual performance and relaxation levels. The results are recorded by participants in a self-observation journal, one of the three research methods used in this study. The purpose of the self-observation is to track individuals’ daily activity and performance under stress, providing insight into their physical and psychological responses to the two lighting modes. The second method is autoethnography. Similar to self-observation, the researchers ourselves participate in the same process, documenting our experiences in a research diary. The third method involves in-depth interviews, which offer deeper insight into personal experiences and the reasoning behind lighting mode preferences. The data collected through these three methods are analysed through the lens of four theories: effort-recovery model, self-regulation theory, visual ergonomics and environmental psychology. These theories assist in interpreting the empirical material and guide the research towards a deeper understanding of dark mode and its influence on relaxation under stress. The study reveals a pattern between dark mode and both psychological and physical relaxation, especially in low-lit environments. This was observed through multiple participants’ experiences with eye strain and their behavioural adjustments, such as reducing screen brightness or switching to dark mode. Moreover, the research found that professional background influences lighting mode preference, as certain roles involve different types of tasks and screen time. These factors shape individuals’ digital literacy, lighting mode preferences, and workplace norms. Furthermore, the study shows that a majority of participants wish that more websites and applications offered the option to change lighting mode. These findings highlight the importance of customising digital environments, as such options have a tangible effect on users’ physical comfort and psychological well-being.