The Pilot Study of the Supporting Potential of Internet-using in Social Adaptation of Patients with Mental Disease

The aim of the research was to investigate the correlations between the type of internet-using and the quality of social adaptation of people suffering from endogenous mental diseases. 29 male patients aged 18 to 32 years were investigated. The following was revealed: a smaller amount of relatives in core of social networks and a lower level of psychotic symptoms in patients using internet to maintain contacts; decreasing the level of somatization in people using internet to keep contact with their families; increasing the level of social adaptation even in patients, who used internet just for entertainment. This allows to suggest that using internet can play a significant role in preventing the development of hospitalism and help to reduce self-stigma in patients with mental disease.The aim of the research was to investigate the correlations between the type of internet-using and the quality of social adaptation of people suffering from endogenous mental diseases. 29 male patients aged 18 to 32 years were investigated. The following was revealed: a smaller amount of relatives in core of social networks and a lower level of psychotic symptoms in patients using internet to maintain contacts; decreasing the level of somatization in people using internet to keep contact with their families; increasing the level of social adaptation even in patients, who used internet just for entertainment. This allows to suggest that using internet can play a significant role in preventing the development of hospitalism and help to reduce self-stigma in patients with mental disease.The aim of the research was to investigate the correlations between the type of internet-using and the quality of social adaptation of people suffering from endogenous mental diseases. 29 male patients aged 18 to 32 years were investigated. The following was revealed: a smaller amount of relatives in core of social networks and a lower level of psychotic symptoms in patients using internet to maintain contacts; decreasing the level of somatization in people using internet to keep contact with their families; increasing the level of social adaptation even in patients, who used internet just for entertainment. This allows to suggest that using internet can play a significant role in preventing the development of hospitalism and help to reduce self-stigma in patients with mental disease.

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