Supporting Resilience Through Virtual Reality: Design and Preliminary Evaluation of a VR Experience Based on Viktor Frankl’s Logotherapy

Abstract

Promoting resilience is crucial to support people in the face of traumatic experiences caused by existential crises. Virtual Reality (VR) can support resilience as it allows for embodied experiences and experiential learning. We present the design and initial user evaluation of an immersive VR experience for strengthening resilience, inspired by Viktor Frankl’s psychotherapy, ‘logotherapy and existential analysis’ (LTEA). The prototype immerses users in two experiences related to guilt or suffering and guides them through an interactive reflection, encouraging them to consider their potential for finding meaning even in adverse circumstances. Although the self-reported resilience measures did not indicate increased resilience, qualitative data suggest that the users were able to use the prototype to reflect on meaning in life. This paper contributes to the field of VR for well-being by introducing the under-explored approach of LTEA to facilitate resilience. We discuss aspects of resilience support in VR by addressing the relevance of identifying and utilising technology-specific affordances to enhance reflective practice and the potential of peer support for promoting resilience.