Socio-Cognitive Framework for Personal Informatics: A Preliminary Framework for Socially-Enabled Health Technologies

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.