The use of social media and online dating among individuals with unipolar depression and bipolar disorder

Background: Studies on how individuals with affective disorders use and perceive their use of social media are lacking from the literature. Methods: A questionnaire focusing on affective disorders and the use of social media and online dating was handed out to outpatients with unipolar depression or bipolar disorder and general practice patients with or without affective disorders (latter as controls). The association between affective disorders and the use of social media and online dating was visualized using network graphs and analyzed using linear/logistic regression. Results: A total of 194 individuals with unipolar depression, 124 individuals with bipolar disorder and 196 controls were included in the analysis. Having unipolar depression or bipolar disorder was not associated with the time spent on social media compared with controls. Using the controls as reference, having 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 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. Limitations: Selection and report biases may have affected the results of the survey. Conclusions: The use of social media and online dating seems related to symptom deterioration among individuals with affective disorders.

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