Giesen, Chantal (2025) The Association Between Usage of Wearable Health Technology and Health Anxiety. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Abstract The increasing popularity of wearable health technology, to enhance personal health and well-being, necessitates an evaluation of its potential psychological consequences. This study investigated the relationship between the frequency of wearable health technology use and health anxiety (HA), with a secondary focus on whether sleep tracking is differently associated with HA compared to other health-related metrics. A total of 85 participants were recruited through a combination of simple random sampling in Groningen and convenience sampling via the researcher’s network. Using an online questionnaire, participants provided details on wearable device use and completed the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI – 14). Data was analyzed using ANCOVA and one-way ANOVA. Results from ANCOVA revealed significant differences in HA scores between using frequencies (F(4,79) = 2.59, p = .043, ηp2 = .116). Higher frequency users reported significantly elevated HA; for instance, the highest frequency category (M = 10.35, SD = 4.59) showed greater HA than the lowest frequency category (M = 4.33, SD = 3.22, p = .042, 95% CI [0.2, 10.55]). However, the one-way ANOVA indicated no significant differences in HA across different health-related metrics tracked (p = .048), suggesting that the psychological effects of wearable health technology are independent of the specific metrics being monitored. These findings underscore a potential link between wearable health technology use and HA, especially with frequent use. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms, contributing factors, and directions of these associations. Keywords: technology use, health behavior, sleep tracking, health anxiety, psychological consequences
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Li, Z. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | None [Bachelor Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 06 Feb 2025 12:40 |
| Last Modified: | 06 Feb 2025 12:40 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4605 |
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