The impact of mortality salience on quantified self behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Quantified self refers to the process consumers collect, analyze to reflect, control, and optimize their behaviors, thus obtaining self-knowledge. Since the COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives dramatically, this research aims to explore how mortality salience caused by COVID-19 affects people's quantified self behavior. The current study used an online survey and the experimental method to test multiple research hypotheses. The results indicated that mortality salience has a positive impact on quantified self; perceived control mediates the relationship between mortality salience and the quantified self, and social distance plays a moderating role between mortality salience and perceived control. The conclusions provide a new way to help people deal with anxiety and fear brought by the COVID-19, and enhance public health and well-being.