Cyber-support: An analysis of online self-help forums (online self-help forums in bipolar disorder)
Abstract
Background The Internet is becoming increasingly important in psychiatry and psychotherapy. Aims The objective of this study was to evaluate if and how online self-help forums are used by patients with bipolar disorders, their relatives and treating professionals. Methods A total of 2400 postings in two online forums were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. Results "Disclosure", "friendship" and "online-group cohesion" were the main self-help mechanisms. The topics most discussed were "social network", "symptoms of the illness" and "medication". Factor analyses revealed three factors concerning self-help mechanisms: "group cohesion", "emotional support" and "exchange of information", as well as three factors concerning fields of interest: "illness-related aspects", "social aspects" and "financial and legal issues". Conclusion We infer that the main interest in participating in online forums for patients with bipolar disorders and their relatives is to share emotions and to discuss their daily struggles with the illness. Our study also reveals that social networking is very important for patients coping with bipolar disorders. Psycho-educative programmes should focus on those aspects.
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For patients with bipolar disorder, the main interest in online self-help forums was to share emotions with others, allow exchange of information, and benefit by being part of an online social group.
“Bauer et al. (2013) reported that the main interest in online self-help forums for patients with bipolar disorder was to share emotions with others, allow exchange of information, and benefit by being part of an online social group (Bauer, Bauer, Spiessl, & Kagerbauer, 2013).”
From Social Media and Mental Health: Benefits, Risks, and Opportunities for Research and Practice (2020) · cites this paper as Bauer, Bauer, Spiessl, & Kagerbauer, 2013
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Smailhodzic, E., Hooijsma, W., Boonstra, A., & Langley, D. J. (2016) · BMC Health Services Research · doi:10.1186/s12913-016-1691-0 · Cited by 827 · see citing works
“2013 [34] Nordic Journal of Psychiatry To evaluate if and how online self-help forums are used by patients with bipolar disorders, their relatives and treating professionals Qualitative and Quantitative Content analysis of posts 2400 postings of 218 users (Patients with Bipolar Disorder (94 %), Relatives (4 %), or Pro…”
BackgroundSocial Media and Mental Health: Benefits, Risks, and Opportunities for Research and Practice
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Internet use by patients with bipolar disorder: Results from an international multisite survey
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Self-citationOnline social support networks
Mehta, N., & Atreja, A. (2015) · International Review of Psychiatry · doi:10.3109/09540261.2015.1015504 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
- Authors
- Bauer, R., Bauer, M., Spiessl, H., & Kagerbauer, T.
- Affiliations
- University of Regensburg (DE)
- University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus (DE)
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Bauer, Rita
- ORCID
- Bauer, Michael
- Venue
- Nordic Journal of Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2012-07-23
- Volume
- 67
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 185-190
- ISSN
- 0029-1455 (ISSN-L)
- 0803-9488
- 1502-4725
- OpenAlex
- W1989615528
- Cited by
- 59
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 2
- FWCI
- 7.39
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Nordic Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- University of Regensburg Publication Server (University of Regensburg) (acceptedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Bipolar Disorder and Treatment
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Keywords
- bipolar disorder, online self-help, online support groups, group cohesion, emotional support, social networking, disclosure, relatives of patients, coping with illness, medication
- MeSH terms
- Bipolar Disorder, Communication, Family Health, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Self-Help Groups, Health Behavior, Internet, Disclosure, Friends, Social Networking
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