The Effect of Sleep Time Related Information and Communication Technology (STRICT) on Sleep Patterns and Daytime Functioning in Children and Young Adults: A Pilot Study

Young adults are becoming less dependent on the car for travel. Increased use of information and communication technology (ICT) has been linked to this trend; this link suggests that ICT enables connection without wheels and thus less travel. This study tested that theory through a survey of young adults in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Two competing hypotheses were tested: (a) increased contact through ICT replaces–reduces in-person travel and (b) increased contact through ICT complements–increases in-person travel. The survey found that contact with friends was a high priority for young adults: 81% contacted friends daily through social media, 74% by phone, and 39% in person. A multinomial logistic regression tested associations between frequent in-person contact and several variables. Daily social media and telephone contact with friends was strongly associated with more frequent in-person contact. Daily social media use made someone 6.7 times more likely to have seen friends daily, while daily phone contact made someone 9.9 times more likely to have seen friends daily. The findings supported the complement–increase hypothesis (i.e., ICT use complements in-person contact rather than replaces it). Results are discussed and future research directions proposed.

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Information and communication technology use in daily life among young adults with mild-to-moderate intellectual disability

Journal of Intellectual Disabilities ◽

10.1177/1744629518784351 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 289-308 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Camilla Ramsten ◽

Lene Martin ◽

Munir Dag ◽

Lena Marmstål Hammar

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Intellectual Disability ◽

Information And Communication Technology ◽

Communication Technology ◽

Family Relationships ◽

Technology Use ◽

Social Care ◽

Daily Life ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Information And Communication

Background: Information and communication technology (ICT) increases participation in life activities, and young adults are frequent users. Young adults with intellectual disability (ID) do not use ICT as much as their peers, and little is known about how ICT is used by young adults with ID. This study describes the use of ICT from the perspective of young adults with mild to moderate ID in a municipal social care context. Method: Semi-structured interviews were used to collect information from 11 young adults with mild-to-moderate ID living in residential care and analysed using a content analysis. Results: ICT was used for family relationships, daily support, interactions based on interests and amusement, and as support for offline activities. Family members were important providers of support for ICT use. Conclusion: Young adults with mild-to-moderate ID use ICT in their daily life. The social care context needs to be further investigated due to its influence on the young adults’ access to ICT and need of support.

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