Disagreement in perceptions of stepfamily communication and functioning: Implications for mental health

This study tested the degree to which disagreement in perceptions of stepfamily communication and functioning is associated with the mental health of family members. Participants included 119 stepfamily triads from two different regions of the United States. Results indicate that stepfamily dissension and avoidance are inversely associated with the mental health of family members, whereas stepfamily involvement, flexibility, and expressiveness are positively associated with mental health. Disagreement in family members’ perceptions of stepfamily dissension is negatively associated with the mental health of both adults, whereas disagreement in perceptions of stepfamily involvement is inversely associated with the mental health of stepchildren. The results extend efforts to identify communication behaviors that differentiate strong stepfamilies from those struggling with the developmental process.

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Family Separation and the Impact of Digital Technology on the Mental Health of Refugee Families in the United States: Qualitative Study

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/14171 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (9) ◽

pp. e14171 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sayyed Fawad Ali Shah ◽

Julia Meredith Hess ◽

Jessica R Goodkind

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

United States ◽

Digital Technology ◽

Family Members ◽

The United States ◽

Theory Approach ◽

Financial Barriers ◽

Family Separation ◽

Ict Use ◽

The Impact

BackgroundConflicts around the world have resulted in a record high number of refugees. Family separation is a critical factor that impacts refugee mental health. Thus, it is important to explore refugees’ ability to maintain contact with family members across the globe and the ways in which they attempt to do so. It is increasingly common for refugees to use information and communication technologies (ICTs), which include mobile phones, the internet, and social media sites, such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Skype, and Viber, for these purposes.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore refugees’ perceptions of the impact of communication through ICTs on their mental health, the exercise of agency by refugees within the context of ICT use, especially their communication with their families, and logistical issues that affect their access to ICTs in the United States.MethodsWe used a constructivist grounded theory approach to analyze in-depth interviews of 290 adult refugee participants from different countries, who were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of a community-based mental health intervention.ResultsAnalyses showed that communication through ICTs had differing impacts on the mental health of refugee participants. ICTs, as channels of communication between separated families, were a major source of emotional and mental well-being for a large number of refugee participants. However, for some participants, the communication process with separated family members through digital technology was mentally and emotionally difficult. The participants also discussed ways in which they hide adversities from their families through selective use of different ICTs. Several participants noted logistical and financial barriers to communicating with their families through ICTs.ConclusionsThese findings are important in elucidating aspects of refugee agency and environmental constraints that need to be further explicated in theories related to ICT use as well as in providing insight for researchers and practitioners involved in efforts related to migration and mental health.

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Cross cultural and global uses of a digital mental health app: results of focus groups with clinicians, patients and family members in India and the United States

Global Mental Health ◽

10.1017/gmh.2021.28 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Elena Rodriguez-Villa ◽

Abhijit R. Rozatkar ◽

Mohit Kumar ◽

Vikram Patel ◽

Ameya Bondre ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

United States ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Digital Health ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Family Members ◽

The United States ◽

Mental Illnesses ◽

Human Interaction ◽

Specific Feedback

Abstract Background Despite significant advancements in healthcare technology, digital health solutions – especially those for serious mental illnesses – continue to fall short of their potential across both clinical practice and efficacy. The utility and impact of medicine, including digital medicine, hinges on relationships, trust, and engagement, particularly in the field of mental health. This paper details results from Phase 1 of a two-part study that seeks to engage people with schizophrenia, their family members, and clinicians in co-designing a digital mental health platform for use across different cultures and contexts in the United States and India. Methods Each site interviewed a mix of clinicians, patients, and their family members in focus groups (n = 20) of two to six participants. Open-ended questions and discussions inquired about their own smartphone use and, after a demonstration of the mindLAMP platform, specific feedback on the app's utility, design, and functionality. Results Our results based on thematic analysis indicate three common themes: increased use and interest in technology during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), concerns over how data are used and shared, and a desire for concurrent human interaction to support app engagement. Conclusion People with schizophrenia, their family members, and clinicians are open to integrating technology into treatment to better understand their condition and help inform treatment. However, app engagement is dependent on technology that is complementary – not substitutive – of therapeutic care from a clinician.

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Family Separation and the Impact of Digital Technology on the Mental Health of Refugee Families in the United States: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.14171 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Sayyed Fawad Ali Shah ◽

Julia Meredith Hess ◽

Jessica R Goodkind

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

United States ◽

Digital Technology ◽

Family Members ◽

The United States ◽

Theory Approach ◽

Financial Barriers ◽

Family Separation ◽

Ict Use ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND Conflicts around the world have resulted in a record high number of refugees. Family separation is a critical factor that impacts refugee mental health. Thus, it is important to explore refugees’ ability to maintain contact with family members across the globe and the ways in which they attempt to do so. It is increasingly common for refugees to use information and communication technologies (ICTs), which include mobile phones, the internet, and social media sites, such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Skype, and Viber, for these purposes. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore refugees’ perceptions of the impact of communication through ICTs on their mental health, the exercise of agency by refugees within the context of ICT use, especially their communication with their families, and logistical issues that affect their access to ICTs in the United States. METHODS We used a constructivist grounded theory approach to analyze in-depth interviews of 290 adult refugee participants from different countries, who were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of a community-based mental health intervention. RESULTS Analyses showed that communication through ICTs had differing impacts on the mental health of refugee participants. ICTs, as channels of communication between separated families, were a major source of emotional and mental well-being for a large number of refugee participants. However, for some participants, the communication process with separated family members through digital technology was mentally and emotionally difficult. The participants also discussed ways in which they hide adversities from their families through selective use of different ICTs. Several participants noted logistical and financial barriers to communicating with their families through ICTs. CONCLUSIONS These findings are important in elucidating aspects of refugee agency and environmental constraints that need to be further explicated in theories related to ICT use as well as in providing insight for researchers and practitioners involved in efforts related to migration and mental health.

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