Abstract

Objectives: Rising criticism regarding the effectiveness and risks associated with the growing use of mobile health applications necessitates an integrative approach to assess the effect of mobile health applications on self-management practices among individuals diagnosed with a chronic condition. We predict the likelihood of adopting (a) lifestyle and (b) healthcare self-management practices following the use of mobile health applications and controlling for variations in technology use, socioeconomic characteristics and personal health condition.

Methods: Using data released by Princeton (PEW) the study examines 1,492 individuals who use mobile health applications and 500 respondents (31.01%) diagnosed with a chronic condition.

Results: The findings from a secondary analysis indicate that: First, age and a health crisis, along with parenthood, serve as basic attributes in predicting variations in the extent of technology use among individuals. Second, the effect of mobile health applications on self-management practices varies in terms of number and updating. Third, variations in personal health condition moderate the effect of mobile health applications.

Conclusions: We conclude that using mobile health applications is an important means in improving selfmanagement practices among individuals diagnosed with a chronic disease but only to the extent that personal health conditions do not provide significant obstacle.