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Comparative Study
. 2019 Aug;55(6):973-978.
doi: 10.1007/s10597-019-00431-7. Epub 2019 Jun 8.

Use of Smartphones, Computers and Social Media Among People with SMI: Opportunity for Intervention

M F Brunette  1   2   3 , E Achtyes  4   5   6 , S Pratt  7   8 , K Stilwell  4   5 , M Opperman  9 , S Guarino  10 , F Kay-Lambkin  11
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Use of Smartphones, Computers and Social Media Among People with SMI: Opportunity for Intervention

M F Brunette et al. Community Ment Health J. 2019 Aug.

Abstract

Mobile technology provides a unique opportunity to expand access to evidence-based interventions. The objective of this study was to provide an update regarding use of technology in people with serious mental illness (SMI). In 2017, 403 people in treatment for SMI were surveyed. Technology use was common: 65.8% used a smartphone, 53.6% used the Internet on a computer or tablet in the past 6 months, and over two thirds (67.9%) used social media. Rates of technology and Facebook use were similar to rates among low-income Americans. Approximately three quarters were willing to use a device to access interventions for stress, health and mental health. Younger adults were more likely to use most forms of technology and social media compared to older adults, but willingness to try technology-delivered interventions did not vary by age. This survey supports the rationale for ongoing development and testing of digital interventions for people with SMI.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

Author 1 received research support from Alkermes.. Author 2 has received research support from AssurEx, Avanir, Janssen, Novartis, Otsuka, Pfizer, Pine Rest Foundation, Priority Health, Network180, and Vanguard Research Group and serves on an advisory panel for the Vanguard Research Group. The other authors report no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:
Technology and social media use in people with SMI, U.S. PEW survey all-income, and U.S. PEW survey low-income (less than $30,000/year)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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