Exploring the Impact of Wearable Devices on Perceived Stress, Health Anxiety, Relaxation, and Challenge-Threat Appraisals
Type of assignment: BSc. thesis
Internal/external: Internal
How many students?: 2
Supervision: In (sub)groups
Includes data collection?: Yes
Type of research: Mixed methods
Number of ECTS?: 15 ECTS
Research assignment:
This study focuses on the field of wearable health technology, particularly devices that provide stress feedback, and examines their impact on users' perception of stress, health anxiety, relaxation, and their appraisal of stressors as challenges or threats. With the growing popularity of wearables, their potential in supporting individuals in health and wellbeing management has become increasingly important. Stress management, among the various functions of wearables, stands out due to the significant health implications of chronic stress.
This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of wearable devices in providing meaningful stress feedback and how this feedback influences individuals' stress perception, health anxiety, relaxation, and stress appraisals. The study will involve participants from a convenience sample who will be monitored over a two-week period, using a counterbalanced design. Half of the participants will use the wearable device in the first week and the other half in the second week. Data collection will include pre-, mid- (between week 1 and 2), and post-measurements of perceived stress, health anxiety, relaxation, and challenge-threat appraisals. Additionally, participants will complete a (or perhaps multiple) short daily questionnaire(s) to capture day-level fluctuations in these variables.
The study employs a mixed-methods approach and a repeated single-subject design. Quantitative data will be collected using amongst other measures the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), a health anxiety scale, and a relaxation scale. We will also gather traits related to Personality and Stress Mindset. Qualitative data will be gathered through semi-structured interviews at the end of the study period. This interview will incorporate participants' own quantitative data to explore their perspectives on the feedback received from the wearables and how they reflect on the fluctuations in their experiences as they reported them throughout the two week period.
Example research questions:
- How does the introduction of stress feedback from wearables influence individuals' perception of stress and health anxiety?
- Is the stress feedback provided by wearables perceived as a useful tool for stress management or does it add to health anxiety?
- How does wearable stress feedback influence individuals' tendencies to appraise stressors as challenges or threats?
- How does receiving wearable stress feedback alter individuals’ perceptions of stressor demands and their own capabilities to handle stress?
- Do day-level fluctuations in perceived stress, health anxiety, stress appraisal and relaxation differ in weeks with or without wearable feedback? For example, do people show more or less variability in their stress levels during the weeks they use the wearable because they become more aware of changes in their stress physiology?
Who do we look for? Students interested in conducting a nuanced analysis and in-depth study of a limited number of participants (10-15 (per student) ) on the potential of wearable technology as a tool to aid people in recognizing and managing their stress responses.
Supervisor: Matthijs Noordzij
References:
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- Smith, E. N., Santoro, E., Moraveji, N., Susi, M., & Crum, A. J. (2020). Integrating wearables in stress management interventions: Promising evidence from a randomised trial. International Journal of Stress Management, 27(2), 172–182. https://doi.org/10.1037/str0000137