Use of the Internet and Digital Devices Among People With Severe Mental Ill Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic Restrictions

Abstract

Background: Restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have led to everyday reliance on digitalisation of life, including access to health care services. People with severe mental ill health (SMI—e.g., bipolar or psychosis spectrum disorders) are at greater risk for digital exclusion and it is unknown to what extent they adapted to online service delivery. This study explored use of the Internet and digital devices during the pandemic restrictions and its association with physical and mental health changes.Methods: Three hundred sixty seven adults with an SMI diagnosis completed a survey (online or offline) and provided information on access to Internet connexion and devices, internet knowledge, online activities, and barriers to using the Internet. They also self-reported changes in mental and physical health since the beginning of the pandemic restrictions.Results: During the pandemic restrictions 61.6% were limited or non-users of the Internet. The majority had access to the Internet and digital devices but around half reported knowledge deficits. Most common activities were accessing information and entertainment (88.9%), staying in touch with friends and families (84.8%), and purchasing goods (other than food) (84.3%). Most common barriers were finding the Internet “not interesting” (28.3%) or “too difficult” (27.9%), as well as “security concerns” (22.1–24.3%). Using the Internet “a lot” (vs. “just a bit or not at all”) during the pandemic was associated with younger age (18–30: Adj ORs 4.76; 31–45: 6.39; Ps < 0.001; vs. 66+), having a diagnosis of bipolar disorder (compared to psychosis; Adj OR = 3.88, P < 0.001), or reporting a decline in mental health (compared to no decline; Adj OR = 1.92, P = 0.01).Conclusion: Most people with SMI were limited or non-users of the Internet during the pandemic, which seems to be mainly attributable to lack of interest and skills, rather than lack of devices or connectivity. Older adults with psychosis should be the focus of interventions to support digital engagement in people with SMI.

Loneliness among people with severe mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results from a linked UK population cohort study

“…OWLS study has also explored the use of the internet and found that the majority of the present sample were limited, or non-, users of digital devices, potentially because of a lack of skills or interest [33]. This limited internet access could therefore be contributing to greater loneliness experienced during the pandemic.…”

“…However, it is not known what portion of the SMI population have access to the internet or how they interact with the internet for social communication. The OWLS study has also explored the use of the internet and found that the majority of the present sample were limited, or non-, users of digital devices, potentially because of a lack of skills or interest [ 33 ]. This limited internet access could therefore be contributing to greater loneliness experienced during the pandemic.…”

Transformation Beyond COVID-19: Accessibility in Lived Experience Involvement in Research Post Pandemic. Experience, Reflections and Future Direction From the Closing the Gap Network and OWLS Study

“…For others, time was limited due to increased family or caring commitments such as home-schooling children. Lack of digital connectivity, which is higher in the SMI population than the general population ( 15 ) led to difficulty with continuing commitments for some, collaborative and creative working between researchers and lived experience advisors aimed to create a range of solutions such as phone, video platform and postal involvement.…”

A Year Into the Pandemic: The Diversity of Experience Amongst People With Severe Mental Ill Health

“…Those who agreed to take part were provided with a range of options; (i) to carry out the survey over the phone with a researcher, (ii) to be sent a link to complete the survey online, or (iii) to be sent a hard copy of the questionnaire in the post to complete and return. The full methods of recruitment to the OWLS study have been previously described (11) and are also outlined in the Supplementary Material.…”