How connected are people with schizophrenia? Cell phone, computer, email, and social media use

Highlights

• Fifty-six percent of subjects use text messaging, 48% have an email account.

• Twenty seven percent of subjects use social media sites daily (Facebook the most popular).

• Many current users agreed that these technologies increase socialization.

• Many patients are interested in mobile technologies playing a role in treatment.

Abstract

Technologies such as Internet based social media network (SMN) websites are becoming an important part of many adult lives; however, less is known about their use in patients with schizophrenia. We need to determine (1) how “connected” are patients with schizophrenia?, (2) do these technologies interfere with the patient׳s illness?, and (3) do patients envision these technologies being involved in their treatment? We recruited 80 inpatients and outpatients age 18–70 with schizophrenia to complete a brief survey on the prevalence and frequency of cell phone, text messaging, computer, email, and SMN use, and associated attitudes. 56% of subjects use text messaging, 48% have an email account, and 27% of subjects use SMN sites daily, with Facebook being the most popular. Many current users agreed that these technologies help them interact/socialize more, expressed interest in receiving text messages from their doctors, and disagreed that these technologies make symptoms worse. These preliminary findings should be investigated in larger samples, but suggest that these technologies afford a unique opportunity to engage and improve treatment for some patients with schizophrenia.

Introduction

The use of technologies such as smartphones, tablets, and Internet based social media network (SMN) websites is becoming an important part of many adult lives. A December 2013 Pew Research survey found that 90% of US adults own a cell phone, and 81% of cell phone owners use them to text (http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/mobile-technology-fact-sheet). This Pew Research survey found that 58% of American adults have a smartphone, and 42% of American adults own a tablet computer (http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/mobile-technology-fact-sheet). A January 2014 Pew Research survey found that 73% of online adults use social networking sites, of which Facebook (71%) was also the most popular (http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/social-networking-fact-sheet).

The impact of these technologies on healthcare will be more prominent as they become more available to individuals suffering from chronic illness. Applications made for smartphones and tablets along with SMN websites could aid in the treatment of individuals with chronic illness. However, less is known about SMN, cell phone, text messaging, and general computer use in patients with schizophrenia. Several previous studies have investigated the prevalence of cell phones, computers, and/or Internet use, as well as the acceptability and efficacy technology-based interventions in patients with schizophrenia (described in Table 1). Improved missed appointment rates, medication adherence, and prodromal and other symptom assessment have been shown in studies using SMN or text-based applications on cell phones for individuals with schizophrenia (Ainsworth et al., 2013, Ben-Zeev et al., 2014, Montes et al., 2012, Palmier-Claus et al., 2012, Palmier-Claus et al., 2013, Sims et al., 2012, Välimäki et al., 2012). Certain aspects and patterns of an Internet profile and SMN use could be related to schizophrenia spectrum disorders (Krishna et al., 2013). Actions on SMNs could also contribute to or exacerbate some psychiatric symptoms, including delusions, suspiciousness, depression, and/or anxiety (Martin et al., 2012, Nitzan et al., 2011).

In order to get a better understanding of how SMNs and other technologies play a role in the lives of patients with schizophrenia, we need to better describe the prevalence and frequency of use, and experience with these technologies to determine (1) how “connected” are patients with schizophrenia? (2) do these technologies interfere with the patient׳s illness? and (3) do patients with schizophrenia envision these technologies being involved in their treatment? We conducted a survey of patients with schizophrenia to begin to address these questions.