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Pregnant Adults' Interest in Physical and Mental Health Behavior Change Interventions Using Mobile Technology
Natalie M Yarish1, Cassidy M Sandoval2, Alicia Moulder1,3
1School of Exercise Science, College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.
Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science
|May 18, 2026
Summary
Pregnant adults frequently use smartphones and desire to improve physical and mental health. They are open to using mobile health (mHealth) interventions for prenatal and postnatal health behavior changes, indicating potential for mHealth in perinatal care.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Digital Health
- Perinatal Health
Background:
- Improving pregnant adults' health is a public health priority.
- Mobile health (mHealth) interventions offer a scalable approach for behavior change programs.
- Understanding pregnant individuals' technology use and health interests is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess pregnant adults' mobile technology use.
- To evaluate interest in health behavior changes during and after pregnancy.
- To determine willingness to use mHealth interventions for health improvement.
Main Methods:
- An online survey was administered to 133 pregnant adults across the USA.
- Participants were recruited via social media.
- Measures included mobile technology use, health beliefs, and mHealth intervention interest.
Main Results:
- Participants reported daily smartphone use and a strong desire to improve physical (diet, exercise, sleep) and mental (stress, depression, anxiety) health.
- Most participants believed mobile technology could be a helpful and feasible tool for health improvement.
- Findings align with previous research on preconception adults regarding mobile technology's utility.
Conclusions:
- Mobile technology shows promise as a tool for implementing pre- and postnatal health behavior change programs.
- Community-informed mHealth interventions can be developed for pregnant adults.
- Further feasibility and effectiveness studies are needed to confirm mHealth's role in perinatal health promotion.
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