Wellbeing and (Mental) Health: A Quantitative Exploration of Portuguese Young Adults’ Uses of M-Apps from a Gender Perspective

Eduardo Antunes (), Rita Alcaire and Inês Amaral
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Eduardo Antunes: Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Coimbra, 3004-530 Coimbra, Portugal
Rita Alcaire: Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra, 3000-995 Coimbra, Portugal
Inês Amaral: Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Coimbra, 3004-530 Coimbra, Portugal

Social Sciences, 2022, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Acknowledging the importance of technology in the mental health and wellbeing of individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic, this paper aims to analyse the uses of mobile health applications by young Portuguese adults focusing on the following research question: How do the uses of m-apps by young adults interact with health and wellbeing from a gender perspective? An online survey was conducted to a representative sample of young Portuguese adults (18–30 years), under the objectives of the MyGender project that studies the interconnections of young adults with m-apps, with their technicity and imaginaries. The approach followed in this paper is quantitative-extensive. Results reveal low usage of overall health and wellbeing apps, particularly among single respondents who do not have children. Health and self-tracking apps are among the 10 most frequently used apps. Only 6.20% of the sample considers mental health apps (mHapps) as one of the three most important types of apps. Having children is a factor for a bigger interconnectedness of the respondents with overall health and wellbeing apps and the general quality of care.

Keywords: knowledge management; mental health; mobile apps; digital technology; mhealth; gender (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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