Two kinds of mirror?: recrafting mediated selves in apps for mental wellbeing

SSM - Qualitative Research in Health 2026 Open access

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Authors: Tiago Moreira, Vince Miller, Mark Hill
DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmqr.2026.100818
Cited by: 1
References: 38

Abstract

Highlights: Mental health apps are valued as backstage regions, where users craft self-presentation. In our interviews with mental health apps users, we identified two styles self-crafting. Our typology contrasts mood tracking with engagement with AI conversational agents. Mental health apps enable self-exploration while entangling users in surveillance.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Digital Mental Health Interventions Innovative Human-Technology Interaction Impact of Technology on Adolescents

Publication details

Journal / source
SSM - Qualitative Research in Health
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
10
Pages
100818–100818
Publication date
25 June 2026
Language
EN