The Interaction Between Gender, Health and Smartwatch use on Health Anxiety

This study investigates the relationship between gender, smartwatch use, diagnosed health conditions, and health anxiety. Previous research has shown health anxiety is more common among woman and those with chronic conditions, but little is known about how these factors interact with the use of wearable health technology. This study employed a quasi-experimental cross-sectional design with 252 participants, controlling for age and trait anxiety levels. The study found that men who have a diagnosed health condition and use a smartwatch experience significantly higher levels of health anxiety. In contrast, woman who have a diagnosed health condition and use a smartwatch report lower health anxiety. This suggests that smartwatches may contribute to increased anxiety in men and may provide reassurance for women. These findings underscore the need for personalised approaches to wearable health technology that consider gender differences and the potential psychological impacts on users. Future research should explore how wearables impact health anxiety across other populations and examine whether different types of smartwatches have distinct effects on health anxiety.