Disclosing Bipolar Disorder in Romantic Relationships

Abstract

Utilizing communication privacy management (CPM) theory as a framework, we explored the privacy boundaries that individuals with bipolar disorder have around their diagnosis information in romantic relationships. Participants’ (n = 92) responses to an online survey were coded and analyzed, resulting in themes that evidenced consideration of possible individual and relational outcomes when contemplating renegotiating or fortifying boundaries around diagnosis, and the use of both core and catalyst criteria in deciding when to make romantic partners co-owners of diagnosis information. Results of this study provide empirical support for CPM theory and implications for privacy boundary management decisions for individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder.