Not What I Want to Log or Share: Exploring How to Enhance Technological Support through Affordable Behavioral Self-Monitoring and Data Sharing with Key Support Figures

Shopping addiction is characterized by unrestrained repetitive purchasing behavior, negatively impacting one’s financial stability and social welfare. This study sought to gain insights into the development of self-monitoring devices and data sharing schemes to assist in dealing with shopping addiction. In this two-phase study, the Bergen Shopping Addiction Scale was first used in the pre-study screening survey to identify individuals with a propensity toward shopping addiction. In the second phase, an online survey was conducted, comprising (1) a study introduction and consent form, (2) the main survey, and (3) follow-up demographic questions. Phase II involved 332 participants meeting this criterion and was conducted to examine behavioral tendencies, evaluate prior intervention experiences, and elicit user preferences pertaining to self-monitoring and data sharing. The majority of respondents expressed a preference for systems that facilitate the tracking of shopping behavior and enable data sharing with intimate partners. Based on these findings, we recommend three directions for the further development of support systems: 1) Reduce the burden of mood tracking; 2) Streamline mechanisms for sharing data with key support figures; and 3) Tailor intervention strategies in accordance with key addiction indicators.