International multi-site survey on the use of online support groups in bipolar disorder

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Rita Bauer - , Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Jörn Conell - , Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, AMEOS Clinic Holstein (Author)
  • Tasha Glenn - , ChronoRecord Association (Author)
  • Martin Alda - , Dalhousie University (Author)
  • Raffaella Ardau - , University Hospital of Cagliari (Author)
  • Bernhard T. Baune - , University of Adelaide (Author)
  • Michael Berk - , Deakin University, Barwon Health, University of Melbourne, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, ORYGEN Youth Health (Author)
  • Yuly Bersudsky - , Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (Author)
  • Amy Bilderbeck - , Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (Author)
  • Alberto Bocchetta - , University of Cagliari (Author)
  • Letizia Bossini - , University of Siena (Author)
  • Angela M.Paredes Castro - , Deakin University, Barwon Health (Author)
  • Eric Y.W. Cheung - , Castle Peak Hospital (Author)
  • Caterina Chillotti - , University Hospital of Cagliari (Author)
  • Sabine Choppin - , Hôpital Henri Mondor (Author)
  • Maria Del Zompo - , University of Cagliari (Author)
  • Rodrigo Dias - , Universidade de São Paulo (Author)
  • Seetal Dodd - , Deakin University, Barwon Health, University of Melbourne (Author)
  • Anne Duffy - , University of Calgary (Author)
  • Bruno Etain - , Hôpital Henri Mondor (Author)
  • Andrea Fagiolini - , University of Siena (Author)
  • Miryam Fernández Hernandez - , University of the Basque Country (Author)
  • Julie Garnham - , Dalhousie University (Author)
  • John Geddes - , Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (Author)
  • Jonas Gildebro - , Aarhus University (Author)
  • Ana Gonzalez-Pinto - , University of the Basque Country (Author)
  • Guy M. Goodwin - , Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (Author)
  • Paul Grof - , Mood Disorders Center of Ottawa, University of Toronto (Author)
  • Hirohiko Harima - , Tokyo Metropolitan Matsuzawa Hospital (Author)
  • Stefanie Hassel - , Aston University (Author)
  • Chantal Henry - , Hôpital Henri Mondor, Institut Pasteur Paris (Author)
  • Diego Hidalgo-Mazzei - , University of Barcelona (Author)
  • Vaisnvy Kapur - , National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) (Author)
  • Girish Kunigiri - , Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (Author)
  • Beny Lafer - , Universidade de São Paulo (Author)
  • Erik R. Larsen - , Aarhus University (Author)
  • Ute Lewitzka - , Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Rasmus W. Licht - , Aalborg University (Author)
  • Anne Hvenegaard Lund - , Aarhus University (Author)
  • Blazej Misiak - , Wrocław Medical University (Author)
  • Patryk Piotrowski - , Wrocław Medical University (Author)
  • Scott Monteith - , Michigan State University (Author)
  • Rodrigo Munoz - , University of California at San Diego (Author)
  • Takako Nakanotani - , Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science (Author)
  • René E. Nielsen - , Aalborg University (Author)
  • Claire O’donovan - , Dalhousie University (Author)
  • Yasushi Okamura - , Tokyo Metropolitan Matsuzawa Hospital (Author)
  • Yamima Osher - , Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (Author)
  • Philipp Ritter - , Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Michael Bauer - , Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)

Abstract

Background: Peer support is an established component of recovery from bipolar disorder, and online support groups may offer opportunities to expand the use of peer support at the patient’s convenience. Prior research in bipolar disorder has reported value from online support groups. Aims: To understand the use of online support groups by patients with bipolar disorder as part of a larger project about information seeking. Methods: The results are based on a one-time, paper-based anonymous survey about information seeking by patients with bipolar disorder, which was translated into 12 languages. The survey was completed between March 2014 and January 2016 and included questions on the use of online support groups. All patients were diagnosed by a psychiatrist. Analysis included descriptive statistics and general estimating equations to account for correlated data. Results and conclusions: The survey was completed by 1222 patients in 17 countries. The patients used the Internet at a percentage similar to the general public. Of the Internet users who looked online for information about bipolar disorder, only 21.0% read or participated in support groups, chats, or forums for bipolar disorder (12.8% of the total sample). Given the benefits reported in prior research, clarification of the role of online support groups in bipolar disorder is needed. With only a minority of patients using online support groups, there are analytical challenges for future studies.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)473-476
Number of pages4
JournalNordic journal of psychiatry
Volume71
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - 18 Aug 2017
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 28696841
ORCID /0000-0003-4286-5830/work/149796248
ORCID /0000-0002-2666-859X/work/149797541

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Bipolar disorder, Internet, online support groups, self-help, survey