TY - JOUR

T1 - What do service users with Bipolar Disorder want from a web-based self-management intervention?

T2 - a qualitative focus group study

AU - Todd, Nicholas

AU - Jones, Steven

AU - Lobban, Fiona

N1 - This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Todd, N. J., Jones, S. H. and Lobban, F. A. (2013), What Do Service Users with Bipolar Disorder Want from a Web-Based Self-Management Intervention? A Qualitative Focus Group Study. Clin. Psychol. Psychother., 20: 531–543. doi: 10.1002/cpp.1804 which has been published in final form at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cpp.1804/abstract This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.

PY - 2013/11

Y1 - 2013/11

N2 - BackgroundBipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic and recurrent severe mental health problem. A web-based self-management intervention provides the opportunity to widen access to psychological interventions. This qualitative study aims to identify what an ideal web-based intervention would look like for service users with BD.MethodsTwelve service users with BD were recruited in the UK and took part in a series of focus groups to inform and refine the development of a web-based self-management intervention. Reported here is a subset analysis of data gathered with the primary aim of identifying the needs and desires of service users for such an intervention for BD. We analysed service users' responses to questions about content, outcomes, format, barriers and support. Focus groups were transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis was employed.ResultsThe data were ordered into four key themes: (1) gaining an awareness of and managing mood swings; (2) not just about managing mood swings: the importance of practical and interpersonal issues; (3) managing living within mood swings without losing the experience; (4) internet is the only format: freely accessible, instant and interactive; (5) professional and peer support to overcome low motivation and procrastination difficulties.LimitationsThe small group of participants are not representative of those living with BD.ConclusionsThese findings have significantly enhanced our understanding of what service users with BD want from a web-based self-management intervention and have clear implications for the future development of such approaches. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Key Practitioner MessageService users desire a web-based self-management approach that gives them the techniques they need to not only manage their moods but also manage their lives alongside the disorder, including interpersonal and practical issues.Service users describe their primary outcome, not as a cure or reduction in their symptoms, but instead being able to live a fulfilling life alongside their condition.Service users see the internet as their preferred format because of the increased accessibility to evidence-based intervention.Service users discussed the potential barriers to web-based interventions including motivation and procrastination. Effective and acceptable content and low-level support provide potential solutions to these issues.

AB - BackgroundBipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic and recurrent severe mental health problem. A web-based self-management intervention provides the opportunity to widen access to psychological interventions. This qualitative study aims to identify what an ideal web-based intervention would look like for service users with BD.MethodsTwelve service users with BD were recruited in the UK and took part in a series of focus groups to inform and refine the development of a web-based self-management intervention. Reported here is a subset analysis of data gathered with the primary aim of identifying the needs and desires of service users for such an intervention for BD. We analysed service users' responses to questions about content, outcomes, format, barriers and support. Focus groups were transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis was employed.ResultsThe data were ordered into four key themes: (1) gaining an awareness of and managing mood swings; (2) not just about managing mood swings: the importance of practical and interpersonal issues; (3) managing living within mood swings without losing the experience; (4) internet is the only format: freely accessible, instant and interactive; (5) professional and peer support to overcome low motivation and procrastination difficulties.LimitationsThe small group of participants are not representative of those living with BD.ConclusionsThese findings have significantly enhanced our understanding of what service users with BD want from a web-based self-management intervention and have clear implications for the future development of such approaches. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Key Practitioner MessageService users desire a web-based self-management approach that gives them the techniques they need to not only manage their moods but also manage their lives alongside the disorder, including interpersonal and practical issues.Service users describe their primary outcome, not as a cure or reduction in their symptoms, but instead being able to live a fulfilling life alongside their condition.Service users see the internet as their preferred format because of the increased accessibility to evidence-based intervention.Service users discussed the potential barriers to web-based interventions including motivation and procrastination. Effective and acceptable content and low-level support provide potential solutions to these issues.

KW - Bipolar Disorder

KW - Web Based

KW - Self-Management

KW - Intervention Development

U2 - 10.1002/cpp.1804

DO - 10.1002/cpp.1804

M3 - Journal article

VL - 20

SP - 531

EP - 543

JO - Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy

JF - Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy

SN - 1063-3995

IS - 6

ER -