Subtheme 1: Personal Communication and Connectedness
Some participants particularly appreciated that the app communicated with them in a personal manner. This led to a feeling of authenticity; therefore, these participants no longer had the impression of interacting with a machine when using the app:You can say that there is someone behind it. I never felt alone, it was not a one-way kind of communication. I always knew that behind these tasks was indeed a computer, but I still felt connected in a way.By contrast, other participants would have preferred an even more human-centered mode of delivery of the app content, for example, receiving direct motivational support from other humans:Maybe, despite everything, a video or something like that—or actually, as is often the case nowadays: a small video with other participants who motivate you. Because reading statistics and news is something else than when someone speaks directly to you.Some participants described having developed a feeling of connectedness with other app users over time. This led to a sense of community, which made them feel supported:And then I think I had to answer this question three times. And at the end, I think that was at the final question, I thought “yes, I think it is cool that they are taking part, I do not know them, but I think it is cool that they are taking part, and I feel connected to them.”