Effects of Internet use on well-being among adults with physical disabilities: a review.

PURPOSE: The current review provides a summarized synthesis and evaluation of studies addressing the effects of Internet use on well-being among adults (19-64 years old) with physical disabilities.

METHODS

Potential studies were identified through search of electronic bibliographic databases. Outcome studies were chosen for initial review if the study (1) involved a randomized controlled trial, a quasi-experimental, or a pre-experimental design, (2) appeared in the English language, (3) was published in a scholarly journal, and (4) was published before April, 2011. Applying these criteria, the search yielded 6762 studies, six of which were retained for review.

RESULTS

Current evidence with which to evaluate the effects of Internet use on well-being of adults with physical disabilities is sparse. Three of the studies found positive associations between Internet use and measures of well-being, while the remaining three studies found no statistically significant differences in well-being related to Internet use.

CONCLUSIONS

Based upon the studies reviewed, conclusive statements regarding the presence or absence of these relationships are unfounded and premature. Positive relationships detected between Internet and well-being within samples of individuals with physical disabilities, however, do warrant further attention of researchers and indicate a need for studies employing heightened methodological rigor. [Box: see text].