Socio-Cognitive Framework for Personal Informatics: A Preliminary Framework for Socially-Enabled Health Technologies
Herman Saksono, Andrea G. Parker
Abstract
Personal health informatics systems have been centered around individual efforts, overlooking the role of social factors in health. Over seven years of research ( n \(=\) 153), we examined how socially-enabled personal informatics systems can support physical activity—a behavior critical in promoting physical and mental health. We prioritized exploring this topic with families in low-socioeconomic status (SES) neighborhoods because they face increased barriers to being active due to inequities. Through our systems development, qualitative studies, and theoretical foundation, we developed the Socio-Cognitive Framework for Personal Health Informatics systems that shows how five socio-cognitive concepts (aspirations, data exposure, stories, belongingness, and impediments) influence self-efficacy and outcome expectations that are linked to health behavior. We then provide recommendations on how to design and evaluate such systems. We further argue that socially-enabled health informatics tools can support marginalized communities in reducing health disparities through the collective efforts of families, neighbors, and peers.