Switched on or switched off? A survey of mobile, computer and Internet use in a community mental health rehabilitation sample

Tobitt, Simon; Percival, Robert

doi:10.1080/09638237.2017.1340623

Cited by 33 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Depp et al [ 10 ] conducted a survey of CP patients and found that these patients had substantial cognitive and functional deficits and that high punctuations in these impairments were related to the less use of technology. Moreover, in 2014, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) [ 11 ] showed that 54% of American patients with schizophrenia owned a mobile phone compared with 64% of the general American population [ 12 ]; similar results have been shown in other studies [ 13 ]. However, recent studies have shown that these rates have changed and that the access of these patients to technology is similar to that of the general population at the moment [ 14 - 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 54%

Differences in the Use and Opinions About New eHealth Technologies Among Patients With Psychosis: Structured Questionnaire

Bonet¹,

Llácer²,

Hernández-Viadel³

et al. 2018

JMIR Ment Health

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BackgroundDespite a growing interest in the use of technology in order to support the treatment of psychotic disorders, limited knowledge exists about the viability and acceptability of these eHealth interventions in relation to the clinical characteristics of patients.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to assess the access and use of, as well as experiences and interest in, new technologies using a survey of patients diagnosed with early psychosis compared with a survey of patients diagnosed with chronic psychotic disorders.MethodsWe designed a structured questionnaire. This questionnaire was divided into five parts: (1) clinical and demographic information, (2) access and use of the internet, (3) use of the internet in relation to mental health, (4) experiences with technology, and (5) patients’ interest in eHealth services. In total, 105 patients were recruited from early psychosis units (n=65) and recovery units (n=40).ResultsIn this study, 84.8% (89/105) of the patients had access to the internet and 88.6% (93/105) owned an electronic internet device. In total, 71.3% (57/80) of patients who owned a mobile phone were interested in eHealth systems and 38.2% (37/97) reported negative experiences related to the internet usage. We observed differences between the groups in terms of device ownership (P=.02), the frequency of internet access (P<.001), the use of social media (P=.01), and seeking health information (P=.04); the differences were found to be higher in the early psychosis group. No differences were found between the groups in terms of the use of internet in relation to mental health, experiences and opinions about the internet, or interest in eHealth interventions (P=.43).ConclusionsThe availability and use of technology for the participants in our survey were equivalent to those for the general population. The differences found between the groups in relation to the access or use of technology seemed to due to age-related factors. The use of technology involving mental health and the interest in eHealth interventions were mainly positive and equivalent between the groups. Accordingly, this group of patients is a potential target for the emerging eHealth interventions, regardless of their clinical status. However, 28.7% (23/80) of the studied patients rejected the use of internet interventions and 38.2% (37/97) had unpleasant experiences related to its usage; thus, more in-depth studies are needed to better define the profile of patients with psychosis who may benefit from eHealth treatments.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 54%

Differences in the Use and Opinions About New eHealth Technologies Among Patients With Psychosis: Structured Questionnaire

Bonet¹,

Llácer²,

Hernández-Viadel³

et al. 2018

JMIR Ment Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Variables that are known to be associated with mental health and that might potentially confound the relationship between mental health and internet access were adjusted in the analysis [ 21 , 22 ]. These include sex, age, partner status, any children under 15 years old in the household, employment status, annual household gross income, financial hardship, and residential remoteness.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They also found that for people with psychosis, those digitally excluded tended to be older and have been in contact with mental health services for a longer period. In contrast, Tobitt and Percival [ 22 ] interviewed 97 users of community mental health rehabilitation services in London and found high levels of digital exclusion. Only 14.4% of their sample used the internet, 17.5% used computers, and 40.2% used mobile phones.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental Health Problems and Internet Access: Results From an Australian National Household Survey

Too¹,

Leach²,

Butterworth³

2020

JMIR Ment Health

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Background Mental health support and interventions are increasingly delivered on the web, and stepped care systems of mental health services are embracing the notion of a digital gateway through which individuals can have access to information, assessment, and services and can be connected with more intensive services if needed. Although concerns have been raised over whether people with mental health problems are disadvantaged in terms of their access to the internet, there is a lack of representative data on this topic. Objective This study aimed to examine the relationship between mental health and internet access, particularly lack of access because of affordability issues. Methods Data from wave 14 of the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey were used (n=15,596) in the analyses. Sample weights available in the survey were used to calculate the proportion of those with or without internet access for those with and without mental health problems and more severe long-term mental health conditions. These proportions were also calculated for those with and without internet access due, specifically, to affordability issues. Multinomial logistic regression analyses assessed the relationship between mental health status and internet access/affordability issues, adjusting for a range of covariates. Results Access to the internet was poorer for those with mental health problems (87.8%) than those without mental health problems (92.2%), and the difference was greater when a measure of more severe mental health conditions was used (81.3% vs 92.2%). The regression models showed that even after adjusting for a broad range of covariates, people with mental ill health were significantly more likely to have no internet access because of unaffordability than those without mental ill health (mental health problems: relative risk ratio [RRR] 1.68; 95% CI 1.11-2.53 and severe mental health conditions: RRR 1.92; 95% CI 1.16-3.19). Conclusions As Australia and other nations increasingly deliver mental health services on the web, issues of equity and affordability need to be considered to ensure that those who most need support and assistance are not further disadvantaged.

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“…Surveys conducted in the United Kingdom and the United States indicate that digital exclusion is more prevalent among those with mental health difficulties compared with those without [18,19]. Globally, numerous social determinants of health are associated with poorer mental health, including indicators of lower socioeconomic status such as poverty and employment status [20,21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital Exclusion Among Mental Health Service Users: Qualitative Investigation

Greer¹,

Robotham²,

Simblett³

et al. 2019

J Med Internet Res

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BackgroundAccess to internet-enabled technology and Web-based services has grown exponentially in recent decades. This growth potentially excludes some communities and individuals with mental health difficulties, who face a heightened risk of digital exclusion. However, it is unclear what factors may contribute to digital exclusion in this population.ObjectiveTo explore in detail the problems of digital exclusion in mental health service users and potential facilitators to overcome them.MethodsWe conducted semistructured interviews with 20 mental health service users who were deemed digitally excluded. We recruited the participants from a large secondary mental health provider in South London, United Kingdom. We employed thematic analysis to identify themes and subthemes relating to historical and extant reasons for digital exclusion and methods of overcoming it.ResultsThere were three major themes that appeared to maintain digital exclusion: a perceived lack of knowledge, being unable to access the necessary technology and services owing to personal circumstances, and the barriers presented by mental health difficulties. Specific facilitators for overcoming digital exclusion included intrinsic motivation and a personalized learning format that reflects the individual’s unique needs and preferences.ConclusionsMultiple factors contribute to digital exclusion among mental health service users, including material deprivation and mental health difficulties. This means that efforts to overcome digital exclusion must address the multiple deprivations individuals may face in the offline world in addition to their individual mental health needs. Additional facilitators include fostering an intrinsic motivation to overcome digital exclusion and providing a personalized learning format tailored to the individual’s knowledge gaps and preferred learning style.

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Switched on or switched off? A survey of mobile, computer and Internet use in a community mental health rehabilitation sample

Abstract: Community mental health rehabilitation service-users risk finding themselves excluded by a "digital divide". Action is needed to ensure equal access to online opportunities, including healthcare innovations. Clinical and policy implications are discussed.

Cited by 33 publications

References 15 publications

Differences in the Use and Opinions About New eHealth Technologies Among Patients With Psychosis: Structured Questionnaire

Differences in the Use and Opinions About New eHealth Technologies Among Patients With Psychosis: Structured Questionnaire

Mental Health Problems and Internet Access: Results From an Australian National Household Survey

Digital Exclusion Among Mental Health Service Users: Qualitative Investigation

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