Table 3.
Explanatory models based on responses from the patients who used the Internet to find information on bipolar disorder (N = 750)
| Question number | Dependent variable | N | Independent variables | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Questiona | Answerb | Parameter | Significance | OR | 95 % CI | ||
| 22 | How do you rate your Internet search skills? | Expert | 725 | Intercept | 0.010 | 0.463 | 0.257, 0.835 |
| Age | <0.001 | 0.970 | 0.956,0.984 | ||||
| Male | 0.004 | 1.892 | 1.221, 2.931 | ||||
| Very confident when to see the doctor | <0.001 | 1.891 | 1.354, 2.639 | ||||
| Favorite source Wikipedia | <0.001 | 1.487 | 1.221,1.812 | ||||
| Attempt to verify the online information | 0.003 | 1.717 | 1.198, 2.460 | ||||
| 24 | Do you find what you are looking for? | Always | 661 | Intercept | <0.001 | 0.203 | 0.127, 0.323 |
| Consult more than one medical professional (e.g., counselor or psychologist) plus psychiatrist | 0.033 | 0.588 | 0.361, 0.958 | ||||
| 27 | How frequently do you search for information about bipolar disorder? | Monthly or more often | 703 | Intercept | 0.006 | 0.310 | 0.135, 0.709 |
| Education ratio | 0.004 | 0.621 | 0.448, 0.858 | ||||
| Male | 0.025 | 1.525 | 1.054, 2.207 | ||||
| Mostly normal last 6 months | <0.001 | 0.395 | 0.262, 0.596 | ||||
| Bipolar disorder interferes frequently or sometimes | <0.001 | 1.952 | 1.406, 2.711 | ||||
| Search for side effects from prescription drugs | 0.021 | 1.465 | 1.060, 2.024 | ||||
| Favorite source are specific sites on mental health | 0.021 | 1.292 | 1.039, 1.607 | ||||
| Online information helps to cope | <0.001 | 2.699 | 2.008, 3.627 | ||||
| Participate in online support groups | <0.001 | 2.286 | 1.552, 3.367 | ||||
| 29 | What are your favorite sources of information about bipolar disorder? | Specific sites on mental health or bipolar disorder | 642 | Intercept | <0.001 | 0.190 | 0.087, 0.415 |
| Age | 0.001 | 1.022 | 1.009, 1.035 | ||||
| Male | 0.002 | 0.729 | 0.595, 0.892 | ||||
| Consult more than one medical professional | 0.001 | 1.515 | 1.197, 1.917 | ||||
| Search monthly or more often | 0.019 | 1.383 | 1.054, 1.814 | ||||
| Online information helps to cope | <0.001 | 1.598 | 1.284, 1.990 | ||||
| Attempt to verify the online information | <0.001 | 2.670 | 2.070, 3.445 | ||||
| 29 | What are your favorite sources of information about bipolar disorder? | Wikipedia | 744 | Intercept | <0.001 | 0.293 | 0.211, 0.406 |
| Male | 0.006 | 1.565 | 1.135, 2.158 | ||||
| Expert search skills | <0.001 | 1.579 | 1.271, 1.963 | ||||
| 30 | Do you discuss online information about bipolar disorder with your doctor? | Sometimes or frequently | 715 | Intercept | <0.001 | 0.068 | 0.038, 0.123 |
| Very confident when to see the doctor | 0.001 | 1.936 | 1.297, 2.891 | ||||
| Online information helps to cope | <0.001 | 2.621 | 1.827, 3.761 | ||||
| Attempt to verify the online information | <0.001 | 3.149 | 2.374, 4.177 | ||||
| 31 | Does the online information help you cope with bipolar disorder? | Sometimes or frequently | 711 | Intercept | 0.005 | 0.610 | 0.433, 0.861 |
| Mostly normal last 6 months | <0.001 | 2.015 | 1.525, 2.663 | ||||
| Always find what looking for | <0.001 | 2.637 | 1.706, 4.076 | ||||
| Search monthly or more often | <0.001 | 2.290 | 1.659, 3.160 | ||||
| Online information helps to cope | <0.001 | 1.684 | 1.276, 2.221 | ||||
| Discuss findings with doctor | <0.001 | 3.023 | 2.024, 4.517 | ||||
| 34 | How concerned are you about privacy and confidentiality? | Moderately or very concerned | 723 | Intercept | <0.001 | 0.085 | 0.049, 0.147 |
| Power Distance Index | <0.001 | 1.030 | 1.020, 1.040 | ||||
| Search online to learn anonymously | 0.001 | 1.705 | 1.260, 2.308 | ||||
aSee survey for details and exact wording
bMissing values not included