A Buddhist-Inspired Media Innovation Process for Emotional Well-Being in Digitally Intensive Work Environments

Abstract

This study developed and preliminarily evaluated a Buddhist-Inspired Media Innovation Process (BIMIP) for enhancing digital mental well-being among working adults in digitally intensive environments. The objectives were to examine the emotional well-being challenges associated with digital overwhelm, to develop a contemplative media process grounded in Buddhist principles, and to evaluate its preliminary effects on emotional well-being.

A mixed-methods developmental design was employed in three phases: documentary and qualitative exploration, process development with expert validation, and implementation of a 14-day contemplative media intervention with 26 working adults. Quantitative data were collected through pre- and post-intervention emotional well-being assessments, while qualitative data were gathered from reflective journals and participant reflections.

The findings indicate that working adults experienced digital fatigue, cognitive overload, emotional tension, fragmented attention, and a diminished sense of meaning in their daily work lives. The developed BIMIP consists of three interconnected stages: Grounding the Mind, Softening Emotional Tension, and Reconnecting with Meaning. The process integrates mindfulness, loving-kindness, compassion, and wise attention through guided audio practices, contemplative narratives, and reflective micro-learning media. Pre-post descriptive results and qualitative reflections suggested improvements in emotional awareness, inner stability, reflective capacity, and perceived meaning. The study presents a structured framework that links Buddhist contemplative wisdom with media innovation to support emotional well-being in contemporary digital environments. Because the study used a small sample, a short intervention period, and no control group, its findings should be interpreted as preliminary.