Emotions and Coping in the Usage of mHealth Applications
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2023-07-05
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en
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There is growing interest in using mobile applications for health purposes. Despite the many benefits these technologies can have for users, the use of mHealth applications is prone to a high rate of dropout. Growing research evidence suggests that mHealth users may experience negative, unintended consequences when using mHealth technologies. The research aim is therefore to investigate the emotions and coping strategies associated with experiences with mHealth applications. Through a diary study, the research question is answered in a qualitative manner. This study provides insight into the emotions experienced while using mHealth technologies. The positive emotions of mHealth application users are pride, satisfaction, happiness, relief, and the feeling of motivation. The negative emotions identified are pressure, sadness, annoyance, confusion, disappointment, guilt, and the feeling of demotivation. In addition to the negative and positive emotions, the neutral emotion of apathy is also identified. Coping strategies are applied to reduce negative emotions. In this study, several coping strategies have been confirmed and identified in the field of mHealth technologies such as acceptance, problem-solving, adjustment, compensation, justification, and distancing. Multiple theoretical and practical contributions are made in light of these findings. In conclusion, it appears that acceptance and justification are most commonly used to reduce the negative experiences created while using an mHealth application.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen