“It’s like a toxic relationship”: Examining internal conflict experienced in wearable activity tracker users

Wearable activity trackers have been recognised as effective tools for physical activity promotion, leading to their integration in healthcare services. Although, some qualitative literature indicated that device users may experience internal conflict. The current study is the first of our knowledge to directly examine the conflict faced by wearable activity tracker users. A qualitative, exploratory design was followed, with inductive thematic analysis conducted on semi-structured interview transcripts. The current study consisted of 11 regular wearable activity tracker users (8 female), aged between 18–59 years (M = 30.73). Four themes and nine sub-themes captured participants’ internal conflict. Themes were; Who knows best? Who’s in charge? Who am I without it? And What is happening to me?. Themes highlighted that device users faced conflict around navigating a data mismatch, how a wearable activity tracker impacted their behaviour, the amount of control a tracker had over them, whether their device use was positive, and how they would act and feel if they no longer used their wearable activity tracker. Participants experienced substantial internal conflict from wearable activity tracker use. The intensity of device-user relationship was clear, suggesting device dependency and perceived device importance. Findings hold crucial implications around the integration of activity trackers in healthcare services, recommendations around healthy use, and the potential long-term negative impact of using these devices on bodily intuition. Theoretical underpinnings remain unclear around wearable activity tracker use; results suggested blurred boundaries between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation - likely due to device embodiment - and highlighted the role of pressure in driving increased physical activity.