Details:

Alternative Title:
Psychiatr Q
Personal Author:
Naslund, John A.; Aschbrenner, Kelly A.; Marsch, Lisa A.; McHugo, Gregory J.; Bartels, Stephen J.;
Naslund, John A.; Aschbrenner, Kelly A.; Marsch, Lisa A.; McHugo, Gregory J.; Bartels, Stephen J.; Less -
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.
Subject:
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Adult
Article
Bipolar Disorder
Comorbidity
Depressive Disorder, Major
Exercise
Facebook
Female
Fitness
Health Promotion
Healthy Lifestyle
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Lifestyle Intervention
Male
Middle Aged
Obesity
Schizophrenia
Self-Help Groups
Serious Mental Illness
Social Media
Social Networking
Weight Loss
Social Media
Weight Loss

Source:
Psychiatr Q. 89(1):81-94;
Pubmed ID:
28470468
Pubmed Central ID:
PMC5758428
Document Type:
Journal Article;
Funding:
U48DP005018/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United States; R01 MH089811/MH/NIMH NIH HHS/United States; P30 DA029926/DA/NIDA NIH HHS/United States; U48 DP005018/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United States; U48DP005018/ACL HHS/United States; ... More +
U48DP005018/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United States; R01 MH089811/MH/NIMH NIH HHS/United States; P30 DA029926/DA/NIDA NIH HHS/United States; U48 DP005018/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United States; U48DP005018/ACL HHS/United States; R01 MH089811-01/MH/NIMH NIH HHS/United States; Less -
Collection(s):
CDC Public Access
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:a2ea392f2256ebcc7ba514d23104b596f97c44b1605007871549703c81ad69ab
File Type:

Supporting Files

• nihms873569.nxml

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