Mobile self-tracking for health: validating predictors, effects, mediator, moderator, and social influence

This project seeks to explore self-guided mobile self-tracking for weight management through an integrated theoretical lens. It looks at the correlational and causal relationships between a set of psycho-social variables, as well as the effects of mobile self-tracking by integrating classic communication and social psychology theories (i.e., social cognitive theory, theory of planned behavior) and emerging health behavior theories (i.e., self-determination theory, social action theory) into a new model of mobile self-tracking. Findings have shown that, among several underlying predictors, vigilance coping, self-efficacy, and normative beliefs significantly predicted an individual’s autonomous motivation for mobile self-tracking. More importantly, mobile self-trackers were found to have better health outcomes than non-mobile self-trackers after controlling for confounding factors. In addition, confirming theoretical perspectives, self- determination was shown to be an important component that not only can be reinforced through self-guided mobile self-tracking, but also can mediate the effects of mobile self- tracking on health outcomes. Ecological momentary intervention was validated as a significant moderator of the effects of mobile self-tracking engagement on healthy eating. In addition, results revealed that social influence takes forms of network exposure, tie strength, relation type, and role modeling in affecting individuals’ mobile self-tracking adoption. Lastly, structural equation modeling was performed to validate the research model. Contributions to the field of mobile health and implications for future health interventions and health research are discussed.