University of Twente Student Theses
Understanding mobile app engagement : an interview study investigating user experiences with health apps.
Bosse, E. (2018) Understanding mobile app engagement : an interview study investigating user experiences with health apps.
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| Abstract: | Researchers in the field of health promotion assume that adhering to health-related apps may significantly improve app effectiveness, which, in turn, may reduce expenditure in healthcare services. As adherence has frequently been associated with mobile app engagement, examining this ambiguous concept may result in a better understanding of adherence to health apps. Therefore, the present study examined mobile app engagement by exploring how users experience health-related apps. More specifically, it was investigated how health app users evaluate their apps, which emotions they experience, what health app usage means to them and whether they experience flow, an experience believed to be identical to mobile app engagement. Five semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with individuals making use of health apps on a regular basis. Data analysis revealed that even though users complained about some app characteristics, they were generally satisfied with their apps and considered them to be important for achieving health-related goals, indicating that a health app does not have to be “perfect” to be engaging. Participants mentioned positive as well as negative emotions related to app usage but asserted that their intensity may decrease over time. This finding suggests that mobile app engagement may also decline, holding important implications for future health app design. Moreover, it was found that particular app characteristics prevent users from experiencing flow when using health apps, indicating that mobile app engagement is not identical to flow experience. However, future research is needed to improve the understanding of mobile app engagement. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 77 psychology |
| Programme: | Psychology MSc (66604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/76747 |
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