Facebook for Supporting a Lifestyle Intervention for People with Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia: an Exploratory Study

• Published in: Psychiatric quarterly 2018-03, Vol.89 (1), p.81-94
• Main Authors: Naslund, John A., Aschbrenner, Kelly A., Marsch, Lisa A., McHugo, Gregory J., Bartels, Stephen J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; At risk populations; Behavior change; Bipolar disorder; Bipolar Disorder - epidemiology; Bipolar Disorder - rehabilitation; Body weight loss; Community-based programs; Comorbidity; Depressive Disorder, Major - epidemiology; Depressive Disorder, Major - rehabilitation; Depressive personality disorders; Exercise; Female; Health behavior; Health initiatives; Health promotion; Health Promotion - methods; Healthy food; Healthy habits; Healthy Lifestyle; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Intervention; Lifestyles; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Middle Aged; Obesity; Obesity - epidemiology; Obesity - therapy; Original Paper; Physical activity; Physical fitness; Psychiatry; Public Health; Reminders; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenia - epidemiology; Schizophrenia - rehabilitation; Self-Help Groups; Social Media; Social Networking; Social networks; Sociology; Statistical significance; Weight Loss
• ISSN: 0033-2720; 1573-6709
• DOI: 10.1007/s11126-017-9512-0

To examine whether Facebook could support a community-based group lifestyle intervention for adults with serious mental illness. 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. 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