Cyber-support: An analysis of online self-help forums (online self-help forums in bipolar disorder)

Bauer, Rita; Bauer, Michael; Spießl, Hermann; Kagerbauer, Tanja

doi:10.3109/08039488.2012.700734

Cited by 50 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The support provided from patients' peers or coaches in the discussed intervention programs mostly resulted in higher rates of acceptance, engagement and retention (Nicholas et al, 2010;Todd et al, 2013Todd et al, , 2014. This is consistent with the current evidence related to the standalone online support forums and discussion groups for a wide range of mental disorders including bipolar disorder (Bauer et al, 2013;Campos et al, 2014;Highton-Williamson et al, 2014;Schielein et al, 2008). However, the existing projects and studies greatly differ with respect to the applied technical and methodological principles, which make the direct comparisons of these programs challenging.…”

Section: Current Interventionssupporting

confidence: 79%

Internet-based psychological interventions for bipolar disorder: Review of the present and insights into the future

Hidalgo‐Mazzei

Mateu

Reinares

et al. 2015

Journal of Affective Disorders

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Section: Current Interventionssupporting

confidence: 79%

Internet-based psychological interventions for bipolar disorder: Review of the present and insights into the future

Hidalgo‐Mazzei

Mateu

Reinares

et al. 2015

Journal of Affective Disorders

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“…This finding suggests that the information learned online is what helps most patients to cope, rather than emotional support or coping skills learned in online support groups. Prior research on online communities reported that information seeking was the most important activity, (Nambisan 2011; Meier et al 2007; van Uden-Kraan 2009), although emotional support was also important in bipolar disorder (Bauer et al 2013). The time length of most online psychological interventions is considerably shorter than for face-to-face programs and may not offer sufficient professional access for patients to learn coping skills (Hidalgo-Mazzei et al 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Online information seeking by patients with bipolar disorder: results from an international multisite survey

Conell

Bauer

Glenn³

et al. 2016

Int J Bipolar Disord

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BackgroundInformation seeking is an important coping mechanism for dealing with chronic illness. Despite a growing number of mental health websites, there is little understanding of how patients with bipolar disorder use the Internet to seek information.MethodsA 39 question, paper-based, anonymous survey, translated into 12 languages, was completed by 1222 patients in 17 countries as a convenience sample between March 2014 and January 2016. All patients had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder from a psychiatrist. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and generalized estimating equations to account for correlated data.Results976 (81 % of 1212 valid responses) of the patients used the Internet, and of these 750 (77 %) looked for information on bipolar disorder. When looking online for information, 89 % used a computer rather than a smartphone, and 79 % started with a general search engine. The primary reasons for searching were drug side effects (51 %), to learn anonymously (43 %), and for help coping (39 %). About 1/3 rated their search skills as expert, and 2/3 as basic or intermediate. 59 % preferred a website on mental illness and 33 % preferred Wikipedia. Only 20 % read or participated in online support groups. Most patients (62 %) searched a couple times a year. Online information seeking helped about 2/3 to cope (41 % of the entire sample). About 2/3 did not discuss Internet findings with their doctor.ConclusionOnline information seeking helps many patients to cope although alternative information sources remain important. Most patients do not discuss Internet findings with their doctor, and concern remains about the quality of online information especially related to prescription drugs. Patients may not rate search skills accurately, and may not understand limitations of online privacy. More patient education about online information searching is needed and physicians should recommend a few high quality websites.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40345-016-0058-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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“…People living with bipolar disorder have also reportedly found online forums helpful, citing friendship, empathy and online group cohesion [5]. Users report finding online self-help forums optimal for discussing their problems because of the anonymity involved.…”

Section: Group Behaviour Online: a Review Of The Recent Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Online Groups and Patient Forums

Dosani

Harding

Wilson

2014

Curr Psychiatry Rep

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Online mental health support forums are becoming increasingly popular and there is evidence that they are useful: particularly for providing anonymous support and filling information gaps. However, there are also very real concerns about negative outcomes for users. One online mental health service, Big White Wall, manages these risks and supports its members through the provision of 24 hour professional moderation. Comparison of Big White Wall’s member population with the population of one London borough shows a diverse user group, but members are more likely to be female, and aged 25 to 34, or unemployed.

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Cyber-support: An analysis of online self-help forums (online self-help forums in bipolar disorder)

Cited by 50 publications

References 36 publications

Internet-based psychological interventions for bipolar disorder: Review of the present and insights into the future

Internet-based psychological interventions for bipolar disorder: Review of the present and insights into the future

Online information seeking by patients with bipolar disorder: results from an international multisite survey

Online Groups and Patient Forums

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