Credible, centralized, safe, and stigma-free: What youth with bipolar disorder want when seeking health information online

Authors

  • Kirsten Noack CREST.BD
  • Nusha Balram Elliott University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine
  • Eugenia Canas Western University
  • Kathleen Lane CREST.BD
  • Andrea Paquette Bipolar Disorder Society of British Columbia
  • Bipolar Youth Action Group n/a CREST.BD
  • Jeanne-Michelle Lavigne CREST.BD
  • Erin Michalak University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine

Abstract

Objective: The Bipolar Youth Action Project (BYAP) is a two-year, youth-driven study. Our research explored: 1) bipolar disorder (BD) self-management strategies that are effective for Vancouver Island youth living with BD, and 2) the methods preferred by youth participants for sharing these strategies with their communities and support circles.

Methods: The study employed a group of seven Youth Action Group (YAG) members who live with BD to work with the research team in a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) framework. In collaboration, we designed and executed two Vancouver Island-based Research Forums, inviting youth with BD from the wider community to share their knowledge about self-management. Qualitative (focus group), consultation (World Café), and arts-based (graphic facilitation) methods were utilized. Qualitative findings underwent thematic analysis within a CBPR orientation.

Results: 29 youth participants with BD were recruited to the two Forums.  Focus group findings identified five overarching themes, which included: ‘Sources of self-management strategies’. Half of the focus group participants described how they used online sources to either learn more about self-management or strengthen their social support networks. World Café consultations indicated that, while the sample primarily used online sources for mental health information, they experienced significant barriers, namely stigma and difficulty finding credible, safe, and evidence-informed information.

Conclusion: Youth engagement in BD research and knowledge exchange is feasible. Moreover, youth with BD clearly have constructive and important insights to share which, if harnessed, will help the research community to develop appropriate, effective and safe online mental health spaces for future generations.

(Abstract word count: 249/250) 

Author Biographies

Nusha Balram Elliott, University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine

Research Coordinator, Department of Psychiatry, Collaborative Research Team to study psychosocial issues in Bipolar Disorder (CREST.BD)

Andrea Paquette, Bipolar Disorder Society of British Columbia

Executive Director, Bipolar Disorder Society of British Columbia

Erin Michalak, University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine

Associate Professor, UBC Department of Psychiatry; Network Leader, Collaborative Research Team to study psychosocial issues in Bipolar Disorder (CREST.BD)

Published

2016-09-12

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 1 (2016): Mental Health

Section

Academic Research