User engagement with smart wearables: Four defining factors and a process model

This study aims to construct an empirical model of user engagement with smart wearables, focusing on wrist-worn wearable devices. Using survey data of current smartwatch and smart fitness tracker users (N = 457), four factors—physical interaction, interface assessment, cognitive absorption, and digital outreach—were examined as the main components of user engagement. Results showed that the four concepts reliably constituted the measurement model of user engagement. The proposed user engagement scale showed convergent validity with user attitudes toward wrist-worn wearables and usage intention. In addition, the four aspects of user engagement consisted of a process model, where physical interaction predicted interface assessment, interface assessment predicted cognitive absorption, and cognitive absorption predicted digital outreach.