Emotional regulation (Chen et al., 2024; Chen et al., 2025; Marikyan et al., 2023)
Self regulation - self reflection, self awareness, self control (Causadias, 2012; Garzón Umerenkova et al., 2026; Hertzog et al., 2011)
Coping strategies (Chen et al., 2025; Kekäläinen et al, 2020; Ong et al., 2025)
Adaptability (Cohen et al., 2025; Nascimento et al., 2025; Newton, 2021)
Metacognition (Hertzog et al, 2011; Hvenegaard et al, 2015; Spek et al., 2007)
Quality of relationship (Margolis et al., 2022)
Age, Gender
Generation Gen X, Baby Boomers
Mental Health Status (Mental Health Continuum)
Emotional State, Addiction, Depression (Ong et al., 2025; Yilmaz et al., 2023)
Problematic Phone Use ( Ong et al., 2025; Yilmaz et al., 2023)
Relationships and Relationship status (Margolis et al. 2022)
Life-stage stressors (Erikson; Bowen; Newton, 2021)
Digital literacy and AI (University of Michigan, 2025)
Financial status (SES)
Openess
Culture
Digital wellness is not determined by technology itself, but by how individuals cognitively, emotionally, and relationally engage with it. Factors such as emotional regulation, reflective thinking, and relational communication act as protective mechanisms, while unresolved cognitive dissonance, low trust, and digital overload function as risks. Importantly, cognitive dissonance emerges as a critical inflection point—when navigated through reflection and dialogue, it becomes a protective factor; when avoided, it becomes a risk factor.
Risk factors within this digital wellness project highlight the conditions under which technology use may contribute to stress, disconnection, or maladaptive engagement in middle adulthood. A central risk is unresolved cognitive dissonance, where individuals simultaneously rely on and distrust digital technologies, particularly AI, leading to anxiety, avoidance, or rigid thinking if not critically examined. This is compounded by low trust in AI and digital tools, which can reduce willingness to engage and reinforce resistance. Emotional reactivity, including frustration and overwhelm, further disrupts intentional use, particularly when paired with digital overload and competing life demands characteristic of midlife, such as caregiving and career transitions. Additionally, avoidance behaviours and low digital literacy can limit skill development and increase dependence on others, while over-reliance on technology without critical thinking may reduce autonomy and agency. At the relational level, poor communication between partners regarding expectations and boundaries around technology use can intensify conflict and disconnection. Finally, a poor person- technology fit, where tools are perceived as complex, irrelevant, or inaccessible, can lead to frustration and eventual abandonment. These risk factors highlight that digital wellness challenges are shaped not only by technology, but by the interaction of cognitive, emotional, relational, and contextual factors.
Protective factors within this digital wellness project reflect the conditions that support adaptive, intentional, and meaningful engagement with technology in middle adulthood. Central to these is emotional regulation, which enables individuals to manage feelings of frustration, uncertainty, or overwhelm and engage with digital tools in a calm and purposeful manner. This is strengthened through self-reflection and metacognition, supported by journaling and structured prompts that encourage individuals to examine their thoughts, habits, and digital behaviours. A balanced cognitive appraisal of technology, informed by cognitive behavioural principles, allows individuals to view digital tools as neither inherently threatening nor uncritically beneficial, but as resources to be used thoughtfully. At the relational level, open communication and alignment between partners foster shared understanding, reduce conflict, and support collaborative decision-making around technology use. Openness to experience further enhances adaptability and willingness to engage with emerging tools, including AI, while digital self-efficacy builds confidence and reduces avoidance. Importantly, meaningful and purposeful use of technology, aligned with personal values and life stage goals, contributes to a sense of flourishing and eudaimonia. Finally, a strong person–technology fit, where tools are accessible, relevant, and easy to use, supports sustained engagement and reduces cognitive load. These protective factors show that digital wellness develops through reflection, emotional control, and strong relationships when using technology.