Use of social media and online dating among individuals with a history of affective disorder

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate how individuals with a history of affective disorder use and perceive their use of social media and online dating. Methods: A questionnaire focusing on affective disorders and the use of social media and online dating was handed out to outpatients from unipolar depression and bipolar disorder clinics and general practice patients with or without a history of affective disorders (latter as controls). The association between affective disorders and use of social media and online dating was analyzed using linear/logistic regression. Results: A total of 194 individuals with a history of unipolar depression, 124 individuals with a history of bipolar disorder and 196 controls were included in the analysis. Having a history of unipolar depression or bipolar disorder was not associated with the time spent on social media compared with controls. Using the controls as reference, having a history bipolar disorder was associated with use of online dating (adjusted odds ratio: 2.2 (95% CI: 1.3; 3.7)). The use of social media and online dating had a mood-congruent pattern with decreased and more passive use during depressive episodes, and increased and more active use during hypomanic/manic episodes. Among the respondents with a history of affective disorder, 51% reported that social media use had an aggravating effect on symptoms during mood episodes, while 10% reported a beneficial effect. For online dating, the equivalent proportions were 49% (aggravation) and 20% (benefit), respectively. Conclusion: The use of social media and online dating seems related to symptom deterioration among individuals with affective disorder.

Bipolar disorder and regretted behavior in relation to use of social media and online dating

“…When used wisely and safely, social media networks may empower and support individuals with mental illness. 31,32 As reported in detail elsewhere, 22 there are limitations to this study, which must be taken into consideration. First, as the recruitment of participants was organized by the individual sites in order to fit the local logistics/clinical practices, a selection bias may have been introduced due to the questionnaires being distributed differently at the three study sites providing data for this analysis.…”

“…The data used in this study stem from a questionnaire-based survey on the use of social media and online dating sites among individuals with affective disorders, which is described in detail elsewhere. 22 In brief, we conducted a questionnaire-based survey to obtain data on:…”

“…In the present analyses, we handled these responses as reported by Rydahl et al 22 The same was the case for the merging of response categories. Please see a full description in Supplementary Material 2.…”

“…Respondents were excluded from the analysis if they reported no current/prior use of social media or online dating -as this was an inclusion criterion (n = 7), or if they had not provided information on age and/or sex, which were crucial variables (potential confounders) for adjustment of the analyses (n = 33). The definition of bipolar disorder or control status was identical to that employed by Rydahl et al 22 Specifically, respondents from the outpatient unit for bipolar disorder were considered to have bipolar disorder unless their response to the questionnaire clearly suggested otherwise -that is, if they reported never to have experienced a hypomanic/ manic/mixed episode and if their response to the questions pertaining to use of social media (questions [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] or online dating (questions 49-57) during hypomanic/manic episodes were not consistent with having bipolar disorder. Such respondents (n = 1) were excluded from the analyses.…”

“…Such respondents (n = 1) were excluded from the analyses. The individuals from the two general practices were considered to be controls (without a history of affective disorder) unless they reported to have experienced a hypomanic/manic/ mixed episode and/or if their response to the questions pertaining to use of social media (questions [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] or online dating (questions 49-57) during hypomanic/manic episodes was clearly indicative of bipolar disorder (n = 6 -these six individuals were considered to have bipolar disorder and were included as cases instead of controls), or (ii) if they reported to have experienced a depressive episode (and no hypomanic/manic/mixed episode) and/or provided answers consistent with having a history of depression to the questions pertaining to use of social media (questions [22][23][24][25] or online dating (questions 47 and 48) during episodes of depression (these individuals (n = 78) were excluded from the analyses). Hence, the final study sample consisted of 320 individuals, namely 124 with bipolar disorder (118 from the outpatient unit and 6 from the general practices) and 196 controls without affective disorder from the general practices.…”