Adaptation to bipolar disorder and perceived risk to children: a survey of parents with bipolar disorder

Holly L Peay,Barbara B Biesecker,Donald L Rosenstein

doi:10.1186/1471-244x-13-327

Holly L Peay, Barbara B Biesecker + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244x-13-327

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Abstract

BackgroundBipolar disorder (BPD) is a common condition associated with significant morbidity and reduced quality of life. In addition to challenges caused by their mood symptoms, parents affected with BPD harbor concerns about the mental health of their children. Among adult parents who perceive themselves to have BPD, this study aims to examine participants’ coping methods; identify predictors of adaptation; assess parental perceptions of risks for mood disorders among their children; and describe the relationships among illness appraisals, coping, adaptation to one’s own illness, and perceived risk to one’s children.MethodsParents who self-identified as having BPD completed a web-based survey that assessed dispositional optimism, coping, perceived illness severity, perceived etiology of BPD, perceived risk to offspring, and adaptation to BPD. Participants had at least one unaffected child who was 30 years of age or below.Results266 parents were included in the analysis. 87% of parents endorsed a “somewhat greater” or “much greater” risk for mood disorders in one’s child(ren) than someone without a family history. Endorsing a genetic/familial etiology to BPD was positively correlated with perceived risk for mood disorders in children (rs = .3, p < 0.01) and active coping with BDP (r = .2, p < 0.01). Increased active coping (β = 0.4, p < 0.001) and dispositional optimism (β = 0.3, p < 0.001) were positively associated with better adaptation, while using denial coping was negatively associated with adaptation (β = −0.3, p < 0.001). The variables explained 55.2% of the variance in adaptation (F = 73.2, p < 0.001). Coping mediated the effect of perceived illness severity on adaptation.ConclusionsThese data inform studies of interventions that extend beyond symptom management and aim to improve the psychological wellbeing of parents with BPD. Interventions targeted at illness perceptions and those aimed at enhancing coping should be studied for positive effects on adaptation. Parents with BPD may benefit from genetic counseling to promote active coping with their condition, and manage worry about perceived risk to their children.

Highlights

Bipolar disorder (BPD) is a common condition associated with significant morbidity and reduced quality of life
Our qualitative study led to interest in evaluating, among parents with bipolar disorder, predictors of adaptation to BPD and whether there is a relationship among adaptation, perceived risk to children, and parental coping with risk to children
Perceived etiology of BPD Based on a past qualitative study and clinical experience, we developed a new measure of people’s perceptions about “how bipolar disorder happens in families.”

Summary

Introduction

Bipolar disorder (BPD) is a common condition associated with significant morbidity and reduced quality of life. Among adult parents who perceive themselves to have BPD, this study aims to examine participants’ coping methods; identify predictors of adaptation; assess parental perceptions of risks for mood disorders among their children; and describe the relationships among illness appraisals, coping, adaptation to one’s own illness, and perceived risk to one’s children. A qualitative study of adults with BPD and their healthy siblings [4] reinforced the need to further explore the effects of BPD on the psychological well-being of affected individuals, at-risk children, and the family unit. Participants who perceived themselves to be better adapted to BPD seemed to better manage the effects of BPD on the family unit, and have lower concern about psychological outcomes in their children. Our qualitative study led to interest in evaluating, among parents with bipolar disorder, predictors of adaptation to BPD and whether there is a relationship among adaptation, perceived risk to children, and parental coping with risk to children

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