Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Mental Health
Date Submitted: Feb 22, 2021
Date Accepted: Jun 25, 2021
Virtual community inclusion of individuals with serious mental illness: Mapping digital technology usage and community participation patterns in the virtual era
ABSTRACT
Background:
Despite the growing interest in developing and using mHealth (mobile health) and digital technologies in mental health, little is known about the scope and nature of virtual community inclusion.
Objective:
The overarching goal of this study was to understand and conceptualize virtual community inclusion of individuals with serious mental illness (SMI). Specific objectives were: (1) Mapping the prevalence, trends, and experiences related to mHealth and digital technology use among individuals with SMI; (2) Comparing patterns of technology use by individuals with and without SMI; and (3) Examining whether use of mHealth and digital technologies predicts recovery among individuals with SMI.
Methods:
An online survey of technology use and virtual participation was developed and distributed among adults with and without SMI via social media, national email discussion lists, non-profit organizations, and advocacy groups.
Results:
A total of 381 adults aged 18 years or older participated in the survey, 199 (52%) identified as having a SMI. Participants with SMI reported significantly greater access to technology and significantly fewer days of face-to-face participation in community activities compared with participants without SMI. Among participants with SMI, greater technology use was positively associated with positive emotions and significantly predicted recovery.
Conclusions:
The present study is the first to explore, map, and conceptualize virtual community inclusion among adults with SMI. Our findings indicate a gap in the literature and research on community inclusion and participation and emphasize the need for virtual community inclusion, particularly during the time of COVID-19 and its future implications.
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Copyright
© The authors. All rights reserved. This is a privileged document currently under peer-review/community review (or an accepted/rejected manuscript). Authors have provided JMIR Publications with an exclusive license to publish this preprint on it's website for review and ahead-of-print citation purposes only. While the final peer-reviewed paper may be licensed under a cc-by license on publication, at this stage authors and publisher expressively prohibit redistribution of this draft paper other than for review purposes.