Prevelance of technological devices and internet use among patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder

PREVELANCE USE OF TECHNOLOGICAL DEVİCES AND INTERNET AMONG PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA AND SCHIZOAFFECTIVE DISORDER Introduction: Effective use of technology makes human life much easier nowadays. This use has become widespread in health and has gained functionality in many areas. By the technology based interventions, it is possible to minimize the loss of psychosocial functionality and cognitive disability in schizophrenia, in which social cognitive disability is one of the most basic symptom clusters. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of technological devices (telephones, computers, etc.) and internet usage in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, to determine the attitude of patients towards technological devices and internet usage and relation between technology, internet usage with clinical variables such as psychosocial functioning, positive and negative symptoms. Method: Data were collected from the patients who applied to Dokuz Eylül University Medicine Faculty Schizophrenia Outpatient Clinic. Eightythree schizophrenia patients and 13 schizoaffective disorder patients who meet the schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder diagnostic criteria of DSM-5 were included into the study. Sociodemographic data registration form was completed. A questionnaire was developed for the purposes of the research to evaluate the use of technology. The level of psychosocial functioning was assessed using the Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP), and the positive and negative symptom severity was evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Results: The study found that 86% of patients owned cell phone, 67% of patients used internet access, 67% of patients had computer at home. 61% patients were using any kind of mobile application and 47% patients were using social media application. The most prevelant mobile applications among patients were facebook and whatsapp (48%). Younger patiens were using internet more than older ones in a day (r=-0,395, p=0,000). Negative syptom scores were lower among patinets who were using cell phones, internet connection in cell phone, using mobile application, facebook, whatsapp, messenger, messaging applications, social media applications and who make video conversation than patients who were not using. PSP score of patients who were using cell phone, internet connetcion in cell phone, mobile application, facebook, whatsapp, messenger, messaging applications, social media applications, and making video convetation was higher than the patients who were not using. Conclusion: We have found that more than half of schizophrenia patients use internet, mobile phones and computers, also 47% of patients wee using social media and 65% of patiens were using at least one monile application. In the following years, schizophrenia patients are more likely to use internet, monile application and social media. With this research, it is foreseen that the use prevalence will be increased if special applications are developed for patients to facilitate their daily lives. Mobile applications and social media can affect the lives of patients more intensively, In addition, using the technology may help the patients to improve their symptoms and psychosocial functioning. Keywords: schizophrenia, schizoafective disorder, technology, internet, social media, mobile application, e-health, psychosocial performance