Description
Wearable devices are increasingly popular for stress monitoring and management, yet their psychosocial effects, particularly on perceived stress, health anxiety, and stress appraisals, remain underexplored. This study employed a two-week mixed-methods design to investigate the impact of wearable stress feedback in daily life, combining quantitative measures with qualitative insights to provide a comprehensive understanding of user experiences. A sample of 26participants alternated between wearing and not wearing a smartwatch for one week each, completing daily assessments of perceived stress (PSS-10) and challenge-threat appraisals (Stress Appraisal Measure subscales). Weekly assessments included measures of health anxiety (SHAI-14). Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore participants’ subjective experiences. Quantitative analyses revealed no significant effects of wearing the smartwatch on perceived stress, health anxiety, or challenge-threat appraisals. However, qualitative findings highlighted diverse user responses: some participants reported increased stress awareness and perceived benefits in managing daily stressors, while others experienced heightened anxiety or skepticism toward the wearable’s feedback accuracy. The qualitative data also emphasized the nuanced interplay between stress feedback and cognitive appraisals, with wearable data occasionally reframing stressors as manageable challenges rather than threats. Conversely, for some, the constant feedback led to overmonitoring or disengagement. These findings suggest that the effects of wearable stress feedback are highly individualized, shaped by users’ personal contexts and interpretations. Our future research will investigate
long-term impacts, demographic variations, and tailored interventions to optimize wearable devices for effective stress management in everyday life.
| Period | 27 Mar 2025 → 28 Mar 2025 |
|---|---|
| Event title | 14th ARPH Conference 2025 |
| Event type | Conference |
| Conference number | 14 |
| Location | Heerlen, NetherlandsShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |