Date of Award
Fall 10-5-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Kinesiology (PhD)
Department
Kinesiology
Abstract
Wearable technology (WT) has gained attention as a tool for supporting student health by promoting physical activity and stress management. However, most existing studies have focused on predominantly White or more affluent student populations, leaving a gap in understanding the role of WT among African American university students who face distinct socioeconomic and institutional barriers. The present study examined associations between WT use, perceived stress, physical activity (PA), and sedentary behavior among African American university students. Participants (N = 75) reported general, daily, and long-term (≥1 year) WT use and completed the Perceived Stress Scale–10 (PSS-10) and the Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire (PASB-Q). WT use was positively correlated with both daily use and longer-term adoption. Students with ≥1 year of WT use reported significantly lower perceived stress than those with shorter use, t (73) = −1.32, p = .044, d = −0.32. No significant group differences were observed for PA frequency, PA duration, strength training, or leisure sedentary time (all p > .05), though small effects suggested slightly longer PA duration and less sedentary time among WT users. Three-way analyses of variance indicated significant main effects of gender, F (1, 66) = 8.20, p = .006, and WT use, F (1, 66) = 11.41, p = .001, on stress, as well as a gender × WT interaction, F (1, 66) = 12.28, p < .001. For PA frequency, significant interactions emerged for year × WT, F (1, 66) = 4.01, p = .049, and gender × year × WT, F (1, 66) = 5.84, p = .018. Findings suggest that long-term WT use may reduce stress among African American students, while effects on PA and sedentary behavior appear modest and influenced by demographic factors.