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Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder
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Determinants of Digital Health Resource Utilization Among Individuals With Self-Reported Bipolar Disorder in
Linda Kokwaro1,2, Helena Krüger1, Dennis Stratmann1
1Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Bipolar Disorders
|June 9, 2026
Summary
Digital health resource use in bipolar disorder (BD) is mainly influenced by device access and clinical need, not subjective health. Wearable ownership and objective health status significantly predict engagement with digital tools for self-management.
Area of Science:
- Digital Health
- Mental Health Research
- Healthcare Utilization
Background:
- Investigates digital health resource utilization among individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) in Germany.
- Applies the Andersen Healthcare Utilization Model (AHUA) to understand influencing factors for BD digital health resource use.
- Addresses the gap in knowledge regarding systematic influences on digital health tool adoption for BD self-management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the factors influencing the utilization of digital health resources in individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
- To adapt and apply the Andersen Healthcare Utilization Model (AHUA) to the context of digital health resource use in BD.
- To identify predisposing, enabling, and need-related factors associated with digital health resource engagement in BD.
Main Methods:
- Anonymous online cross-sectional survey of 213 individuals with self-reported BD.
- Data collected on demographics, illness history, digital literacy, and digital health resource utilization.
- Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis to assess associations between AHUA factors and digital health resource use.
Main Results:
- Female gender (predisposing) and wearable ownership (enabling) were associated with higher digital health resource utilization.
- Earlier age of diagnosis and lower health-related quality of life (need factors) significantly predicted greater utilization.
- Smartphone ownership, digital health literacy, and cognitive factors did not show significant associations with utilization.
Conclusions:
- Digital health resource use in BD is driven by enabling factors (device access) and objective health needs, not subjective perceptions.
- Wearable technology access and specific clinical characteristics are key to engaging individuals with BD in digital health tools.
- Tailoring digital interventions to individuals with greater clinical need and focusing on wearable-based solutions can improve adoption and self-management in BD.
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