Information tailoring and framing in wearable health communication

Abstract

Wearable devices, including smartwatches, smart glasses, and fitness trackers, are becoming increasingly popular, and greater emphasis is being placed on their health-related functions. In light of this new development, this study explores the role of smartwatches as mobile health communication tools and proposes information tailoring (personalization vs. customization) and regulatory framing (promotion vs. prevention-framed) as potential strategies for promoting the tendency for self-preservation. Results from a between subjects experiment (N=100) revealed that a customized as opposed to a personalized health message was more effective in promoting self-preservation and inducing positive attitudes toward and representativeness of the message. Meanwhile, regulatory framing was found to have no effects on the outcome. Theoretical and design implications of the key findings are discussed. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.