Factors Relating to Computer Use for People with Mental Illness

People with metal illness, especially schizophrenia, usually experience obstacles in computer and internet access. The purpose of this study is to investigate factors relating to computer use among Taiwanese adults with mental illness. Individual and semi-structured interviews were used during data collection. Grounded theory data analysis method was used in data analysis. There were one male and six females who live in the community that participated in this research. Results showed that information access, information literacy, information application, family information agency, and personal clinical characteristics were related to computer use. The results of this study may assist computer, education and health professionals in their work with people with mental illness to reduce the digital divide and to experience a better life by expanding their choice of activities through computer and internet access.