Anxious or empowered? A cross-sectional study exploring how wearable activity trackers make their owners feel

摘要: The market for wearable activity trackers has grown prolifically in recent years, with increasing numbers of consumers using them to track, measure, and ideally improve their health wellbeing. Empirical evidence tends support wearables as valid, reliable, effective behaviour change tools, however little research been conducted understand experiential aspects the devices, particularly thier effects on users’ psychological wellbeing and affect. This study addresses this literature gap by exploring affective responses devices how these relate personality traits individual differences. Data were collected from adult users (N = 237) via an online survey that assessed participant demographic characteristics, trait profiles, experiences negative (guilt, self-consciousness, & anxiety) positive affect (empowerment, motivation, accountability) related both during wear, when unable wear (e.g. if battery ran flat). Outcomes analysed descriptively general linear models used to examine associations between scores Both current previous users experience more than device whilst they wearing it (p = <.001). When prevented device, however, pattern was reversed most participants reporting stronger These patterns generally consistent across sub-groups although conscientiousness and openness experience independently positively associated (p = .001). Results suggest that a is risk consequences. Whilst uncommon, individuals low conscientiousness or are at greater all may such anxiety frustration device. Findings contribute mounting wearables’ safety appeal tools highlight importance examining experiential aspects tracking.