Affiliations: [a] Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Section of Community Behavioral Health, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA | [b] Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Grayson N. Holmbeck, Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. Tel.: +1 773 508 2967; Fax: +1 773 508 8713; E-mail: gholmbe@luc.edu.
Abstract: PURPOSE: The majority of behavioral intervention technologies (BITs) have been designed and targeted towards the general population (i.e., typically-developing individuals); thus, little is known about the use of BITs to aid those with special needs, such as youth with disabilities. The current study assessed adolescents and young adults with spina bifida (AYA-SB) for: 1) their technology usage, and 2) anticipated barriers to using technology to help manage their health. METHODS: AYA-SB completed a survey of their media and technology usage. A card sorting task that ranked and grouped anticipated barriers to using a mobile app to manage health was also completed. Ranked means, standard deviations, and the number of times a barrier was discarded were used to interpret sample rankings. RESULTS: AYA-SB reported less frequent technology and media use than the general population. However, differences emerged by age, with young adults endorsing higher usage than their younger counterparts. Top concerns focused on usability, accessibility, safety, personal barriers due to lack of engagement, technological functioning, privacy, and efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: AYA-SB appear to be selective users of technology. It is therefore critical that the design of BITs address their concerns, specifically aiming to have high usability, accessibility, and engagement.
Keywords: Spina bifida, behavioral intervention technologies, access barriers, adolescents and young adults, technology use
