Examining the relationship between community mobility and participation using GPS and self-report data

Area of Science:

• Health Sciences
• Psychiatry
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Community mobility is crucial for physical health, mental well-being, and quality of life.
• Mobility facilitates community participation, a key aspect of health functioning.
• Individuals with serious mental illnesses (SMI) often exhibit diminished community participation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between community mobility dimensions and community participation in individuals with SMI.
• To determine if mobility limitations explain the reduced community participation observed in this population.
• To explore how Global Positioning Systems (GPS) data can quantify community mobility.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to track mobility for 103 individuals with SMI over 13 days.
• Collected data on destinations, time outside the home, and distance traveled.
• Assessed community participation through self-reported activities and satisfaction.

Main Results:

• Increased number of destinations and time spent out of the home were associated with greater community participation.
• Distance traveled and activity space size did not correlate with the amount of participation.
• No mobility variables predicted the number of important participation areas or perceived sufficiency of participation.

Conclusions:

• Greater community mobility is positively associated with higher levels of community participation in individuals with SMI.
• Mobility appears to influence the quantity, but not the satisfaction, of community participation.
• Health policymakers and providers should consider community mobility interventions for individuals with SMI.