The relation between perceived level of the instrumental support’s exchange and the patterns of internet using in men with mental disorders

Relevance of this work is determined by the fact that the exchange of the instrumental social support plays an important role in the prevention of lowering the level of the social adaptation in people with mental illness.

Aim of this work is to study the relative different types of internet using and amount of instrumental support in people with mental illness.

Material and methods. 84 men between 16 and 32 years were interviewed through the questionnaires COPE, California social networks inventory, questionnaire to the pictures of the social networks, semi-structured questionnaire for internet-using research.

Results. (1) Absence of social networks (sites) usage for contacting with people can reduce intensity of exchange of instrumental social support. (2) The lack of usage internet for contact with old friends has a negative impact on the exchange quality of instrumental social support. It can contribute to a trained helplessness. (3) Informational internet using can reduce a frequency of use of coping strategy - “recourse to instrumental support”, which can be related to a stronger sense of empowerment. (4)  Entertaining use of Internet technologies can reduce a number of ineffective requests for practical help.

Conclusion. Therefore, using of internet technologies is related to perception of own system of exchange of instrumental social support as more effective. It must be considered in programs of social rehabilitation for people with mental illness.