Sustaining the Use of Quantified-Self Technology : A Theoretical Extension and Empirical Test

Quantified-self technologies (QSTs) provide functions for users to collect, track, and monitor personal data for the purpose of self-reflection and the acquisition of self-knowledge. Although QSTs require prolonged use to reap the attendant benefits, many users abandon the use of their devices or stop tracking within weeks or months. To address this issue, this study seeks to determine ways to sustain the use of QSTs. Combining motivational affordance theory with technology continuance theory, the study develops a theoretical model that accounts for an individual’s continued intention to use a QST. Within the proposed model, unique QST affordances were identified as antecedents of individual motivation in relation to technology continuance, and their different roles in stimulating hedonic, utilitarian, and eudaimonic motivations were examined. The model was tested using data collected from 180 QST users. The results demonstrate that while utilitarian and eudaimonic motivations are complementary forces in determining continuance intention, hedonic motivation loses its predictive power in favor of eudaimonic motivation. The results also show that tracking, visualizing, and sharing affordances play different roles in elevating user motivations. It was noteworthy that the sharing affordance did not influence utilitarian and eudaimonic motivations, while it positively influenced hedonic motivation. This research contributes to the literature on technology continuance by shifting scholarly attention from the hedonic-utilitarian duality to eudaimonic motivation, characterized by meaning, self-growth, and the pursuit of excellence.