Is There Any Difference between Bipolar and Non-bipolar Individuals in the Use of Facebook?

Abstract

Objective: To access how individuals with and without bipolar disorder differ in the use of Facebook, using the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) as a screening instrument for Bipolar Disorder (BD). The bipolar spectrum group will be analyzed in another paper. Method: One questionnaire containing 54 questions about social and demographic variables, aspects of Facebook usage and the MDQ was applied. The sample consisted of 672 Facebook users. Participants were classified into three groups: 1-individuals with BD (n=73); 2-individuals without BD (n=402); 3-bipolar spectrum (subjects whose scores were not enough to fulfill the complete criteria for BD) (n=197). Data analysis was performed using the chi-square test (χ²) among the three groups. When this result was statistically significant, pairwise comparisons were performed using ANOVA (with Sheffé correction) tests. Bonferroni test was used to reduce type I error of multiple comparisons. This paper present differences between individuals with without BD. Results: Individuals with BD presented higher percentage than individuals without BD in the following aspects related to the use of Facebook: a) the amount of friends (more than 1,000 friends: 1=20.5%; 2=10.0%); b) the number of people excluded (excluded more than 30 friends: 1=24.7%; 2=14.4%) or blocked from their contacts (blocked more than 30: 1=5.5%; 2=1.7%); c) increased privacy exposure online (excessive exposure on the internet: 1=6.8%; 2=3.2%); d) problems in private life (1=52.1%; 2=19.4%); e) influences of emotional status on online behavior (1=65.8%; 2=41.5%); f) use when worried/anxious (1=49.3%; 2=29,4%). Conclusions: Individuals with BD are more sensitive, excluding and blocking more frequently and use the internet more often when they are more emotional.

Suicidal behavior is four times more frequent in university students with bipolar disorder assessed by an online version of Mood Disorder Questionnaire

“…They were then invited to complete a Brazilian Portuguese version of MDQ, which has a performance comparable to that of other languages, demonstrating to be a viable and reliable screening instrument [24]. MDQ in an online format was used in order to reach more students, since internet use is increasing worldwide [25,26].…”

“…Group 3 was composed of participants who reported more than 7 symptoms and also had moderate or severe problems, therefore presenting higher probability to have BD. In this research, we will consider group 3 as individuals with BD [25].…”

Facebook, Jet Lag and Hypomania

“…Do Nascimento comments that in periods of mania, people demonstrate high impulsivity and may become more sensitive to what is external to them and have a low threshold of tolerance for frustration. They note difficulty for bipolar individuals to effectively select what should or should not be disclosed drawing on the idea that everything that pertains to their life is important and must be shared [1].…”

“…The study by Do Nascimento et al noted individuals who are likely to have BD have Facebook usage heavily influenced by their mood. Individuals were noted to tend to seek this social network when they were sad, worried/anxious and happy, primarily as a form of distraction in emotional moments [1]. There are studies that show that bipolar patients are at risk of develop an affective episode when they travel across time zones [2].…”