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

Abstract

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have become increasingly integrated into how care is delivered and received. However, no research has yet explored how people with mood disorders use mobile information and communication technologies (mICTs) in their everyday lives and, more specifically, how they might use mICTs to look after themselves. An exploratory qualitative study, within secondary and specialist mental health Services, was undertaken. Data generation involved in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews with 26 people with mood disorders. Participants’ data sets were analysed using constructivist grounded theory (CGT). The resultant theory explains how mICTs were used in daily life, and also, more specifically, how they were used to manage recovery from mood disorders. The findings reveal that people with mood disorders used their mICTs to centralize themselves within their on‐ and offline worlds and their importance of attachment were central in their continued use. These findings have the potential to inform and encourage the further incorporation of mICTs into the health and social care settings; spanning the therapeutic to systemic levels so that the full potential of these ubiquitous technologies can be harnessed to improve care and care delivery. Yet, without adequate resource and support, health and social care professionals’ efforts will be hampered, contributing to technology redundancy and high attrition rates in the use of this type of technology.

From illness management to quality of life: rethinking consumer health informatics opportunities for progressive, potentially fatal illnesses

“… 125 , 126 However, previous research has noted how monitoring and tracking can negatively impact patients’ quality of life 148 by being overwhelming, 117 incompatible with daily life, 149 and in opposition to patients’ need to maintain control and establish normalcy. 150 Moreover, medicalized devices that provide continuous monitoring may counter the needed distraction that may be beneficial for reducing negative moods, 151 and detract from DTs’ role in distancing from negative thoughts 152 , 153 when facing the uncertainty of the disease trajectory. Below we examine how participants use of DTs for intergenerational connections, leisure, and other activities outside of their illness provides multiple avenues for distancing from negative thoughts.…”

An Architecture Supporting Intelligent Mobile Healthcare Using Human-Computer Interaction HCI Principles

“…The robustness of the smart mHealthcare system leverages the potential benefits in the reduction of complexity in the HCI environment. The smart mHealthcare HCI design is based on the UCD mitigate the reliance and reluctance on limited healthcare infrastructure and speed up the healthseeking practice [13]. This is why good care and better health results become the ultimate goal of the overall healthcare environment.…”

Accessibility of mental health support in China and preferences on web-based services for mood disorders: A qualitative study

“…There are also numerous qualitative research studies that have demonstrated the importance of mobile technologies to facilitate the treatment and recovery of mood disorders. For instance, several studies have identified the role of mobile app use on helping with patients' social interconnectivity, skill acquisition, access and management of needs, and bridge the disconnection with health professionals ( Fulford et al, 2019 ; Pung et al, 2018 ). Other studies have revealed factors that might influence the effectiveness or motivation of mobile mental health services usage, such as mental health awareness, appropriate content and medium, functionality, human support, reminders or incentives ( Eccles et al, 2020 ; Simblett et al, 2018 ).…”