Too much of a good thing? Exploring experiences of obsession with self-monitoring technology

Self-monitoring technology (SMT) – smartphone apps and wearable devices used to monitor bodily functions and activities – are becoming increasingly ubiquitous. SMTs are promoted for encouraging health-supporting fitness and sleep behaviours. However, concerns have also emerged about potential harms, including thorough experiences of obsession. To conceptualise obsession and its nuances, a richer understanding of people’s experiences is needed. This study contributes a phenomenological qualitative exploration of obsession with SMT and associated impacts on wellbeing. Participant narratives were documented in semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. Three core themes emerged, each with illuminating subthemes: multiple spectrums of obsession, predominant experiences of obsession, and the duality of wellbeing. Our findings highlight the multifaceted nature of people’s experiences with SMT, and the importance of centring these experiences when evaluating SMTs′ utility and impact. Whilst all participants reported positive impacts on wellbeing, these often coexisted with unpleasant experiences of obsession, shaped by targets, rewards, competition, and device dependency. Our findings support a dialectical conceptualisation of SMT obsession and suggest behavioural addiction frameworks may be useful for interpreting obsession mechanisms without pathologising self-tracking. Practically, findings highlight the importance of wellbeing-oriented design and usage, including flexible goals, reduced emphasis on quantification, and reflective, self-compassionate use.