The personal digital assistant: A tool for supporting mental health rehabilitation

Background. People living with mental illness may manifest cognitive and social-emotional difficulties leading to several challenges in their daily lives. Using technological aids may help to compensate for some of these difficulties. Purpose. The objective of this study was to document the effects and issues of the use of mobile technology applications (apps) with people with mental illness during the rehabilitation process. Method. Using an exploratory qualitative evaluative approach, 12 participants were engaged in ongoing brief interviews in which they discussed their use of a variety of apps that met their rehabilitation needs. A thematic analysis (descriptive interpretive) was used to uncover the effects and issues of the integration of apps in participants' daily life. Findings. The apps helped participants to overcome their cognitive difficulties, facilitated the management of their daily tasks and socialization, and prevented boredom. However, several issues related to the context, the technology, and the person need to be considered. Implications. The findings prompt one to consider the therapist's role in the integration of personal digital assistants in psychosocial rehabilitation.