Exploring the Use of Information and Communication Technology by People With Mood Disorder: A Systematic Review and Metasynthesis

Abstract

BackgroundThere is a growing body of evidence relating to how information and communication technology (ICT) can be used to support people with physical health conditions. Less is known regarding mental health, and in particular, mood disorder.ObjectiveTo conduct a metasynthesis of all qualitative studies exploring the use of ICTs by people with mood disorder.MethodsSearches were run in eight electronic databases using a systematic search strategy. Qualitative and mixed-method studies published in English between 2007 and 2014 were included. Thematic synthesis was used to interpret and synthesis the results of the included studies.ResultsThirty-four studies were included in the synthesis. The methodological design of the studies was qualitative or mixed-methods. A global assessment of study quality identified 22 studies as strong and 12 weak with most having a typology of findings either at topical or thematic survey levels of data transformation. A typology of ICT use by people with mood disorder was created as a result of synthesis.ConclusionsThe systematic review and metasynthesis clearly identified a gap in the research literature as no studies were identified, which specifically researched how people with mood disorder use mobile ICT. Further qualitative research is recommended to understand the meaning this type of technology holds for people. Such research might provide valuable information on how people use mobile technology in their lives in general and also, more specifically, how they are being used to help with their mood disorders.

Is India ready for mental health apps (MHApps)? A quantitative-qualitative exploration of caregivers’ perspective on smartphone-based solutions for managing severe mental illnesses in low resource settings

“…Finally, the interventions delivered through the apps need to be topically relevant, and acceptable to the patient and caregivers, thereby rendering such apps to be locally effective rather than universally usable. It is therefore of vital importance to understand the factors, which drive engagement and disengagement of end-users with mHealth technologies [ 33 ]. In India, mental health resources for psychosocial interventions are meager [ 34 ], and greater than 80% of patients suffering from SMIs fail to receive minimally adequate treatment for their illness [ 35 , 36 ], creating a mental health treatment gap of more than 80%.…”

Exploring the use of mobile information and communication technologies by people with mood disorders

“…Whilst the CGT approach conceptualized similar influencing factors as Fulford et al . () in terms of why people with mood disorders chose to use ICTs such as their affordability, accessibility, and versatility; it also theorized new ones, such as power (facilitate choice and control), safety (sense of attachment), and fulfilment (informational needs met).…”

“…This study identified that participants with mood disorders both sought and received support through their use of mICTs, often facilitating their first steps towards managing their recovery after periods of deliberation; however, user-related, health-related, and technology-related barriers are still required to navigated and negotiated (Simblett et al 2019). Whilst the CGT approach conceptualized similar influencing factors as Fulford et al (2016) in terms of why people with mood disorders chose to use ICTs such as their affordability, accessibility, and versatility; it also theorized new ones, such as power (facilitate choice and control), safety (sense of attachment), and fulfilment (informational needs met).…”

“…However, it is not well understood if and how people with mood disorders use mobile technologies in their daily lives and what their applicability may be for managing health and well‐being (Fulford et al . ). This information is vital to reduce technological attrition and redundancy (Poole ).…”

“…Mobile technologies may mitigate access challenges in relation to receiving timely and appropriate mental health care in that they can connect the user to information and support resources (Tomlinson et al 2013). However, it is not well understood if and how people with mood disorders use mobile technologies in their daily lives and what their applicability may be for managing health and well-being (Fulford et al 2016). This information is vital to reduce technological attrition and redundancy (Poole 2013).…”