Document Type
Article
Language
eng
Publication Date
5-1-2016
Publisher
Oxford Academic
Source Publication
Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association
Source ISSN
1067-5027
Abstract
Objective To understand self-monitoring strategies used independently of clinical treatment by individuals with bipolar disorder (BD), in order to recommend technology design principles to support mental health management.
Materials and Methods Participants with BD (N = 552) were recruited through the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, the International Bipolar Foundation, and WeSearchTogether.org to complete a survey of closed- and open-ended questions. In this study, we focus on descriptive results and qualitative analyses.
Results Individuals reported primarily self-monitoring items related to their bipolar disorder (mood, sleep, finances, exercise, and social interactions), with an increasing trend towards the use of digital tracking methods observed. Most participants reported having positive experiences with technology-based tracking because it enables self-reflection and agency regarding health management and also enhances lines of communication with treatment teams. Reported challenges stem from poor usability or difficulty interpreting self-tracked data.
Discussion Two major implications for technology-based self-monitoring emerged from our results. First, technologies can be designed to be more condition-oriented, intuitive, and proactive. Second, more automated forms of digital symptom tracking and intervention are desired, and our results suggest the feasibility of detecting and predicting emotional states from patterns of technology usage. However, we also uncovered tension points, namely that technology designed to support mental health can also be a disruptor.
Conclusion This study provides increased understanding of self-monitoring practices, attitudes, and needs of individuals with bipolar disorder. This knowledge bears implications for clinical researchers and practitioners seeking insight into how individuals independently self-manage their condition as well as for researchers designing monitoring technologies to support mental health management.
Recommended Citation
Murnane, Elizabeth L.; Cosley, Dan; Chang, Pamara; Guha, Shion; Frank, Ellen; Gay, Geri K.; and Matthews, Mark, "Self-monitoring Practices, Attitudes, and Needs of Individuals with Bipolar Disorder: Implications for the Design of Technologies to Manage Mental Health" (2016). Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science Faculty Research and Publications. 627.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/mscs_fac/627
ADA accessible version
Comments
Accepted version. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, Vol. 23, No. 3, (May 1, 2016): 477–484. DOI.© 2016 Oxford University Press. Used with permission.
Shion Guha was affiliated with Cornell University at the time of publication.