TY - JOUR
T1 - Technology and opportunity
T2 - People with serious mental illness and social connection
AU - Townsend, Lisa
AU - Zippay, Allison
AU - Caler, Kyle
AU - Forenza, Brad
PY - 2016/1/1
Y1 - 2016/1/1
N2 - Objective: Little information exists regarding how individuals with serious mental illness use technology and whether this usage facilitates social connections. This study contributes to filling this knowledge gap by examining ways in which a sample of persons with serious mental illness use cell phones and the Internet. Methods: Interviews with 50 consumers living in supported housing were asked about their use of cell phones and computers and their perceptions of social connections. Results: Cell phones and computers allowed greater linkage with social, medical, mental health, and employment resources. Nearly all obtained phones through publicly funded programs. “Running out of minutes” was common and associated with disrupted communication and safety concerns. Few people owned computers, resulting in restricted access. Conclusion: Policy makers should consider providing free or discounted hardware, subsidizing unlimited plans, and promoting computer literacy.
AB - Objective: Little information exists regarding how individuals with serious mental illness use technology and whether this usage facilitates social connections. This study contributes to filling this knowledge gap by examining ways in which a sample of persons with serious mental illness use cell phones and the Internet. Methods: Interviews with 50 consumers living in supported housing were asked about their use of cell phones and computers and their perceptions of social connections. Results: Cell phones and computers allowed greater linkage with social, medical, mental health, and employment resources. Nearly all obtained phones through publicly funded programs. “Running out of minutes” was common and associated with disrupted communication and safety concerns. Few people owned computers, resulting in restricted access. Conclusion: Policy makers should consider providing free or discounted hardware, subsidizing unlimited plans, and promoting computer literacy.
KW - Cellular phones
KW - Communication
KW - Community participation
KW - Serious mental disorders
KW - Supported housing
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85024404690&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1086/686882
DO - 10.1086/686882
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85024404690
VL - 7
SP - 371
EP - 393
JO - Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research
JF - Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research
SN - 2334-2315
IS - 2
ER -