The App, the Habit, and the Change: Digital Tools for Multidomain Behavior Change Research Paper

Research output: Contribution to conferencesPaperContributedpeer-review

Abstract

Habits can trigger a ripple effect, driving positive changes across mul-tiple lifestyle domains. Therefore, exploring how digital habit apps integrate and leverage these interconnected behaviors is essential, yet current research on this integration remains unclear. This study analyzes 585 behavior recommendations from 36 contemporary habit apps, classifying them into 20 meta-behaviors. Find-ings show significant variation, with apps averaging 45 suggested behaviors spanning roughly 13 meta-behaviors. Physical exercise is most prominently rep-resented and interconnected, frequently paired with Nutrition and Leisure Activ-ities. Apps supporting more lifestyle domains generally offer advanced habit-for-mation functionalities. However, user ratings suggest that functional diversity alone does not guarantee satisfaction. This paper provides users and developers with insights into selecting and designing effective habit apps, emphasizing the potential of interconnected behaviors to foster comprehensive and sustained life-style improvements.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Number of pages15
Publication statusPublished - 15 Sept 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

Symposium

Title20th International Conference on Business Information Systems Engineering
SubtitleDigital Future of Society and Business
Abbreviated titleWI 2025
Conference number20
Duration13 - 17 September 2025
Website
Degree of recognitionInternational event
LocationUniversität Münster
CityMünster
CountryGermany

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0003-2935-303X/work/208073708
ORCID /0000-0002-6513-9017/work/208074945
ORCID /0009-0004-4892-0516/work/208076018