Title: The expected and perceived well-being effects of short-term self-tracking technology use

Authors: Tuomas Kari; Sanna Koivunen; Lauri Frank; Markus Makkonen; Panu Moilanen

Addresses: Faculty of Information Technology, University of Jyvaskyla, P.O. Box 35, FI-40014, Finland ' Faculty of Information Technology, University of Jyvaskyla, P.O. Box 35, FI-40014, Finland ' Faculty of Information Technology, University of Jyvaskyla, P.O. Box 35, FI-40014, Finland ' Faculty of Information Technology, University of Jyvaskyla, P.O. Box 35, FI-40014, Finland ' Faculty of Information Technology, University of Jyvaskyla, P.O. Box 35, FI-40014, Finland

Abstract: Individuals and the healthcare sector have become increasingly interested to measure and improve health and well-being by using different self-tracking technologies. Physical activity, nutrition, and sleep are a few of the various measures that can be self-tracked by different technological solutions. This study investigates the expected and perceived well-being effects of short-term self-tracking technology use with focus on the implementation phase. The study is based on thematic analysis of ten semi-structured interviews. The results reveal that the perceived well-being effects of using a self-tracking technology are relatively minor during the implementation phase - in line with the pre-implementation expectations. The possible increase in well-being is expected to occur in a longer time scale. Perceived psychological well-being is found to be affected the most during the implementation phase. The results also reveal interesting findings regarding the use and acceptance of self-tracking technologies. Based on the results, theoretical and practical implications are presented.

Keywords: self-tracking; activity tracker; mobile application; implementation; well-being; eHealth; eWellbeing; self-tracking technologies; digital wellness; quantified self; qualified self; health technology; wellness technology; use continuance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNVO.2017.088498

International Journal of Networking and Virtual Organisations, 2017 Vol.17 No.4, pp.354 - 370

Received: 21 Oct 2016
Accepted: 01 Nov 2016
Published online: 11 Dec 2017 *

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