Book chapter
OA Policy
English

Personalizing Mobile Applications for Health Behavioral Change According to Age and Gender

PublisherIOS Press
Collection
  • Studies in Health Technology and Informatics; 336
Publication date2026-05-21
First online date2026-05-21
Abstract

Mobile health technologies are increasingly important for behavior change in chronic disease’s prevention and management. Yet, user diversity limits the efficiency of one-size-fits-all solutions. This study examines how age and gender influence preferences for 14 mechanisms for behavior change. In a cross-sectional online survey (N=214, M_age=29.4), logistic regressions tested these effects. Four mechanisms, self-monitoring, progression, challenge, and quests were universally preferred. Participants aged over 35 years disliked rewards (OR= 0.24, p<.01) but preferred prompts and cues (OR= 1.52, p=.05); women preferred avatars (OR= 2.39, p<.01) and were less attracted to social comparison (OR=-.83, p<.05) and competition (OR= 0.34, p<.01). These findings highlight the need for personalized mHealth designs to optimize engagement and effectiveness.

Keywords
  • Personalization
  • Age
  • Gender
  • Behavior change
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Behavior
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mobile Applications / statistics & numerical data
  • Sex Factors
  • Telemedicine / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult
  • mHealth
Citation (ISO format)
GOSETTO, Laëtitia et al. Personalizing Mobile Applications for Health Behavioral Change According to Age and Gender. In: Opening the Personal Gate between Technology and Health Care. [s.l.] : IOS Press, 2026. p. 1974–1978. (Studies in Health Technology and Informatics) doi: 10.3233/shti260596
Main files (1)
Book chapter (Published version)
Identifiers
Additional URL for this publicationhttps://ebooks.iospress.nl/doi/10.3233/SHTI260596
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Creation22/05/2026 00:30:22
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