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Facebook for Supporting a Lifestyle Intervention for People with Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia: An Exploratory Study
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March 2018
Source: Psychiatr Q. 89(1):81-94
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Alternative Title:Psychiatr Q
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Description:Objective
To examine whether Facebook could support a community-based group lifestyle intervention for adults with serious mental illness.
Methods
Participants with serious mental illness and obesity enrolled in a 6-month group lifestyle program were invited to join a secret Facebook group to support their weight loss and physical activity goals. Two peer co-facilitators moderated the Facebook group. The proportion of participants who achieved ≥5% weight loss or improved fitness was measured at follow-up. The relationship between this outcome and participants’ interactions in the Facebook group was examined. Interactions were defined as active contributions including posts, comments, or likes. Content of participants’ Facebook posts was also explored.
Results
Participants (n=25) had major depression (44%), bipolar disorder (36%), and schizophrenia (20%). Nineteen (76%) participants joined the Facebook group, and contributed 208 interactions (70 posts; 81 comments; 57 likes). Participants who achieved ≥5% weight loss or improved fitness contributed more interactions in the Facebook group (mean=19.1; SD=20.5) compared to participants who did not (mean=3.9; SD=6.7), though this relationship approached statistical significance (t=−2.1; Welch’s df=13.1; p=0.06). Participants’ posts containing personal sharing of successes or challenges to adopting healthy behaviors generated more interaction compared to posts containing program reminders (p<0.01), motivational messages (p<0.01), and healthy eating content (p<0.01).
Conclusions
Facebook appears promising for supporting health behavior change among people with serious mental illness. These findings can inform social media initiatives to scale up health promotion efforts targeting this at-risk group.
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Pubmed ID:28470468
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Pubmed Central ID:PMC5758428
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