Internet Use by Older Adults with Bipolar Disorder: International Survey Results

Authors

• Rita Bauer, Technische Universität Dresden
• Tasha Glenn, ChronoRecord Association
• Sergio Strejilevich, 3
• Jörn Conell, Technische Universität Dresden
• Martin Alda, Dalhousie University
• Raffaella Ardau, University Hospital of Cagliari
• Bernhard T. Baune, University of Adelaide
• Michael Berk, 8
• Yuly Bersudsky, Ben Gurion University of the Negev
• Amy Bilderbeck, University of Oxford
• Alberto Bocchetta, University of Cagliari
• Angela Marianne Paredes Castro, Deakin University
• Eric Y. W. Cheung, Castle Peak Hospital, Hong Kong
• Caterina Chillotti, University Hospital of Cagliari
• Sabine Choppin, Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri-Mondor
• Alessandro Cuomo, 18
• Maria Del Zompo, University of Cagliari
• Rodrigo Dias, University of São Paulo
• Seetal Dodd, Deakin University
• Anne Duffy, University of Calgary
• Bruno Etain, Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri-Mondor
• Andrea Fagiolini, University of Siena
• Miryam Fernández Hernandez, 22
• Julie Garnham, Dalhousie University
• John Geddes, University of Oxford
• Jonas Gildebro, 23
• Michael J. Gitlin, 24
• Ana Gonzalez-Pinto, University of the Basque Country
• Guy M. Goodwin, University of Oxford
• Paul Grof, Mood Disorders Center of Ottawa
• Hirohiko Harima, Tokyo Metropolitan Matsuzawa Hospital
• Stefanie Hassel, Aston University
• Chantal Henry, 21
• Diego Hidalgo‑Mazzei, 30
• Anne Hvenegaard Lund, Aarhus University Hospital
• Vaisnvy Kapur, NIMHANS
• Girish Kunigiri, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
• Beny Lafer, University of São Paulo
• Erik Roj Larsen, Aarhus University Hospital
• Ute Lewitzka, Technische Universität Dresden
• Ramus Licht, Aalborg University Hospital
• Blazej Misiak, Wroclaw Medical University
• Patryk Piotrowski, Wroclaw Medical University
• Ângela Miranda-Scippa, 38
• Scott Monteith, Michigan State University
• Rodrigo Munoz, University of California, San Diego
• Takako Nakanotani, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science
• René E. Nielsen, Aalborg University Hospital
• Claire O'Donovan, Dalhousie University
• Yasushi Okamura, Tokyo Metropolitan Matsuzawa Hospital
• Yamima Osher, Ben Gurion University of the Negev
• Andreas Reif, 42
• Philipp Ritter, Technische Universität Dresden
• Janusz K. Rybakowski, Poznan University of Medical Science
• Kemal Sagduyu, University of Missouri - Kansas City
• Brett Sawchuk, University of Calgary
• Elon Schwartz, 42
• Claire Slaney, Dalhousie University
• Ahmad Hatim Sulaiman, University of Malaya
• Kirsi Suominen, City of Helsinki, Department of Social Services and Health Care
• Aleksandra Suwalska, Poznan University of Medical Sciences
• Peter Tam, University of Hong Kong
• Yoshitaka Tatebayashi, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science
• Leonardo Tondo, Harvard Medical School
• Julia Veeh, 42
• Eduard Vieta, University of Barcelona
• Maj Vinberg, Psychiatric Center Copenhagen
• Biju Viswanath, NIMHANS
• Mark Zetin, Chapman UniversityFollow
• Peter C. Whybrow, University of California, Los Angeles
• Michael Bauer, Technische Universität Dresden

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2018

Abstract

Background: The world population is aging and the number of older adults with bipolar disorder is increasing. Digital technologies are viewed as a framework to improve care of older adults with bipolar disorder. This analysis quantifies Internet use by older adults with bipolar disorder as part of a larger survey project about information seeking.

Methods: A paper-based survey about information seeking by patients with bipolar disorder was developed and translated into 12 languages. The survey was anonymous and completed between March 2014 and January 2016 by 1222 patients in 17 countries. All patients were diagnosed by a psychiatrist. General estimating equations were used to account for correlated data.

Results: Overall, 47% of older adults (age 60 years or older) used the Internet versus 87% of younger adults (less than 60 years). More education and having symptoms that interfered with regular activities increased the odds of using the Internet, while being age 60 years or older decreased the odds. Data from 187 older adults and 1021 younger adults were included in the analysis excluding missing values.

Conclusions: Older adults with bipolar disorder use the Internet much less frequently than younger adults. Many older adults do not use the Internet, and technology tools are suitable for some but not all older adults. As more health services are only available online, and more digital tools are developed, there is concern about growing health disparities based on age. Mental health experts should participate in determining the appropriate role for digital tools for older adults with bipolar disorder.

Comments

This article was originally published in International Journal of Bipolar Disorders, volume 6, in 2018. DOI: 10.1186/s40345-018-0127-7

Recommended Citation

Bauer, R., Glenn, T., Strejilevich, S., et al. (2018). Internet use by older adults with bipolar disorder: international survey results. International Journal of Bipolar Disorders, 6, 20. doi: 10.1186/s40345-018-0127-7

Peer Reviewed

1

Copyright

The authors

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.