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International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

Table 3 Explanatory models based on responses from the patients who used the Internet to find information on bipolar disorder (N = 750)

From: Online information seeking by patients with bipolar disorder: results from an international multisite survey

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

  1. aSee survey for details and exact wording
  2. bMissing values not included
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