Wearable Activity Tracker Use in Young Adults through the Lens of Social Cognitive Theory

• Published in: American journal of health education 2019-01, Vol.50 (1), p.40-51
• Main Authors: Gowin, Mary, Wilkerson, Amanda, Maness, Sarah, Larson, Daniel J, Crowson, H. Michael, Smith, Michael, Cheney, Marshall K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adults; Barriers; Cognitive ability; College Students; Correlation; Education; Educational Practices; Effectiveness; Epistemology; Expectation; Goal Orientation; Goal setting; Health; Health Behavior; Health education; Internet; Knowledge management; Measurement Equipment; Occupational health; Physical activity; Physical Activity Level; Risk; Self Control; Self Efficacy; Social Cognition; Social interactions; Social Support Groups; Student Attitudes; Tracking devices; Wearable computers; Wearable technology; Young adults
• ISSN: 1932-5037; 2168-3751
• DOI: 10.1080/19325037.2018.1548314

Background: Young adults are adopting wearables ahead of research. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the use of trackers through Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). Methods: SCT-guided individual interviews were conducted with young adults (n = 57). Typical case sampling was used to recruit college students (n = 35) and straight-to-work (STW) young adults (n = 22) for in-person/online interviews. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using NVivo. Results: There were few differences between the two groups. Most reported little knowledge of the benefits/risks associated with their health behavior (eg, physical activity) but high expectations of how devices would assist them in developing/maintaining behavior. Self-regulatory aspects were seen as benefits. Many reported not setting goals other than those set by their device. Most reported increased self-efficacy and viewed their device as positive, nonjudgmental social support. Discussion: Young adult device use can be health directed or health related. Utilizing devices and SCT-based education may increase young adults' knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-regulation while managing expectations. Translation to Health Education Practice: Health Educators should focus on increasing health knowledge, managing expectations, and setting goals. Building on the increased self-efficacy and social support that young adults reported as part of their wearable activity tracker use could provide a solid foundation for Health Education efforts. A AJHE Self-Study quiz is online for this article via the SHAPE America Online Institute (SAOI)http://portal.shapeamerica.org/trn-Webinars